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          MLB Rumor Central

          Rumor Central: Blue Jays to pursue Jay Bruce?

          Jay Bruce could be an option for the Blue Jays after hitting a combined 36 homers for the Mets and Indians this past season. Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports
          • ESPN.com
          Nov 6, 2017, 09:08 AM ET

          After previously flirting with the idea of adding Jay Bruce, the Toronto Blue Jays could again have interest in the free-agent outfielder, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

          Rumor Central

          Cafardo notes the Blue Jays pursued a trade for Bruce this past season before the New York Mets dealt the 30-year-old to the Cleveland Indians in August.

          Bruce hit .254/.324/.508 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI in 146 total games between the two teams. Bruce, who made $13 million in 2017, added a pair of home runs in the Indians’ Division Series loss to the Yankees.

          The Indians are believed to be interested in retaining Bruce, but a higher priority may be to re-sign free agent Carlos Santana.

          Bruce would be a nice fit in Toronto, where the Jays are looking for a right fielder to replace Jose Bautista. Toronto reportedly was close to acquiring Bruce in a three-way deal in 2016.

          - Doug Mittler