Report: Phillies discussing deal to acquire Bruce from Mariners
The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly discussing a deal to acquire outfielder Jay Bruce from the Seattle Mariners, a source told Jeff Passan of ESPN.
There still may be hurdles to overcome in negotiations, as a different source told Passan that talks between the Mariners and Phillies have not reached a point where a deal is imminent.
Bruce was in the Mariners' clubhouse ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old was held out of the lineup, though that could be a result of Seattle facing Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney.
"I don't have any news. I honestly don't," Bruce told Greg Johns of MLB.com. "I'm reading what you guys are reading."
The report comes after Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera was placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into his arrest for assault.
Nick Williams has been deputizing in Herrera's absence but the 25-year-old is posting an underwhelming .159/.205/.232 slash line with one home run this season.
Bruce became the eighth active player in Major League Baseball to accrue 300 home runs and 300 doubles when he belted a homer against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
He was acquired by the Mariners in the offseason as part of a blockbuster with the New York Mets that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to Queens.
The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger has one year remaining on his current contract and is owed $14 million in 2020. Bruce can block trades to five teams, but the Phillies are apparently not on his no-trade list, according to Cot's Contracts.
Bruce owns a .246/.317/.468 slash line over 12 seasons and has spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Mets, and Mariners.