Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported on Sunday that the Dodgers are considering the Reds’ Jay Bruce as a potential outfield upgrade. As Rosenthal notes, Bruce’s limited no-trade clause doesn’t include the Dodgers. (It does include the Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Indians, Marlins, Twins, Yankees, Athletics, and Rays.)
The Dodgers are without Andre Ethier, who has a fractured right tibia. Trayce Thompson, who has hit well, has been sharing left field with Scott Van Slyke, who hasn’t been hitting well. Meanwhile, Yasiel Puig and his .679 OPS are manning right field. The Dodgers’ aggregate .708 OPS from their outfielders is fourth-worst in the National League behind the woebegone Braves and Phillies, as well as the Nationals.
Bruce, 29, is owed $12.5 million in total for the 2016 season. The Dodgers, if they’d like, can pick up his club option for $13 million next season or buy him out for $1 million.
Bruce went 1-for-4 with a solo home run on Sunday, his 17th homer and 58th RBI of the season. He also owns a .279/.328/.581 triple-slash line.
Rosenthal mentions Josh Reddick of the Athletics and Kole Calhoun of the Angels as other potential fits for the Dodgers along with Bruce.