The narrow market for Jay Bruce is getting even thinner.
With the Blue Jays and Phillies reportedly on the verge of filling outfield vacancies, the Mets may have to get creative in their efforts to trade Bruce, who became expendable when the club signed Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year contract worth $110 million in November.
Reports on Monday indicated the Blue Jays were close to re-signing Jose Bautista, and the Phillies on the verge of completing a deal with Michael Saunders. Both teams had been potential landing places for Bruce, who is owed $13 million in 2017.