Indians GM: There's 'mutual interest' in re-signing Jay Bruce

Following the team's unceremonious exit from the postseason, the Cleveland Indians' top brass discussed the future of the franchise and what this offseason may entail.

Notable mid-season acquisition Jay Bruce played a pivotal role in the second half of the season, most memorably clubbing the walk-off hit to seal the club's 22nd consecutive victory on Sept. 14. Indians general manager Mike Chernoff discussed the prospect of re-signing the impending free agent.

"He seemed to really enjoy his time here," Chernoff said, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "He talked a lot about (Terry Francona) and the environment that he created here, and he seemed to really like it.

"So, there's certainly, I would think, a mutual interest. Whether that can actually work out, free agency is always a different question."

The 30-year-old outfielder is coming off one of his best seasons at the plate, setting a career high with 36 home runs. After posting a 98 OPS+ over his previous three seasons, Bruce showed more patience at the plate, increasing his OBP by nearly 30 points, and lifting his OPS+ to 115.

Bruce is coming off a six-year, $51-million deal he signed with the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2011 season. This will be his first shot at free agency.

The Indians also have Carlos Santana, Bryan Shaw, Joe Smith, and Austin Jackson among notable pending free agents. Michael Brantley has an $11-million team option for 2018 that could be bought out for $1 million.

"(Santana is) a guy we'd like to have back," team president Chris Antonetti said about the first baseman. "We'll see if there's a way where we can make that happen."