Report: Mets, Jay Bruce have mutual interest in reunion

The New York Mets and Jay Bruce may not be able to quit each other.

The Mets and Bruce, who's now a free agent, reportedly have mutual interest in a reunion this offseason, according to Newsday's Marc Carig.

Bruce first joined the Mets via a trade from the Cincinnati Reds at the 2016 deadline, and remained in Flushing for a little over a calendar year. After the Mets slumped in 2017 they dealt Bruce to Cleveland this past August in a move that helped the Indians reel off an American League-record 22-game win streak late in the season.

In late August, shortly after being traded to Cleveland, Bruce told reporters that he'd consider returning to the Mets in the offseason.

In addition to providing the Mets with a much-needed corner outfield bat, Bruce could also be used at first base if necessary. Although he has limited experience at the infield position, the Mets did experiment with Bruce at first 11 times last season.

As of now, the Mets' first-base situation is murky behind rookie Dominic Smith, who was summoned to the majors after the Bruce trade but struggled in his first exposure to big-league ball.

Other free-agent first basemen who have been linked to the Mets this winter include Carlos Santana - a teammate of Bruce's in Cleveland this year - and lefty masher Adam Lind.

The 30-year-old Bruce hit .254/.324/.508 with a career-high 36 homers in 146 games split between the Mets and Indians last season, then walloped a pair of home runs in the Indians' five-game AL Division Series loss to the Yankees.

Bruce is reportedly asking for a five-year contract between $80 million and $90 million. In October, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti stated that there was "mutual interest" in keeping Bruce with his club long term.