Cincinnati Reds’ Jay Bruce looking for a long-term contract – MLB News
With the onset of offseason, the search for quality players continues. Every club is looking for filling the spot, albeit with right player and it goes without saying, a reasonable price.
However, away from the market, at this point in time, is a player who although having a guaranteed contract until 2016, is seeking to have a deal that provides surety to him for a deal that enables him to stay with the club until retirement.
At least that is what Cincinnati Reds' right fielder Jay Bruce is looking for at the moment as his agent put it.
"[Bruce] made it clear that he wants to be a Red his entire career," Bruce's agent, Matt Sosnick, said. "[Joey] Votto is in his wedding in a couple of weeks and he wants to play with him. He has a lot of friends there. He and his fiancee are very comfortable in Cincinnati. Jay asked me to approach the team and see if something is there. We'll see if the team has any interest."
Much as this preference and enthusiasm arouse curiosity, both the player and agent have not revealed what are other details of the contract that is being sought, including the financials.
Holding back this detail is understandable. However, it is interesting to see what the Reds are thinking. General manager Walt Jocketty only recently stated the club had not discussed it with the player yet.
"It's something that has not been discussed at this point," Jocketty said.
It was back in 2010 that Bruce signed a six-year $51 million contract with the Reds, avoiding arbitration. The deal has booked the player until 2016 with a club for 2017 having a $1 million buyout.
Bruce remains one of the important components of the Reds' offence. The past season, he batted .252 with 34 long balls and 99 RBIs. His slugging percentage stood at .514 with 35 doubles, ultimately winning a Silver Slugger Award.
What the Reds do will, of course, heavily depend on how the player performs in the next two to three seasons. The contract between the team and player provides that freedom of choice to the former.
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