Bruce in glory days with Tribe
CHICAGO — On Aug. 1, Jay Bruce seemed resigned to making the best of a bad situation. The outfielder the Mets shopped for basically nine months watched the non-waiver trade deadline go by and no team made a deal for him. He thought he’d be on a team fighting its way to a World Series, but the Mets’ injuries and poor play had him facing two months of playing out the stretch.
A few weeks later, Bruce is fighting for a pennant and making some history.
The outfielder hit a three-run homer on Wednesday as the Indians beat the Tigers, 5-3, for their historic 21st win in a row, tying the Cubs for the second-longest winning streak in baseball history.
“I pretty much went from the least fun situation in baseball to the most fun,” Bruce told reporters after the Indians surpassed the 2002 A’s record of 20 consecutive wins in a 5-3 victory over Detroit.
“That’s no slight to the Mets at all . ... I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Bruce is part of something special in Cleveland, something that hasn’t happened in 116 years.
“You can’t ask for anything more,” Bruce said. “This team was awesome before I got here. I’m happy if I can help out where I can.”
Bruce has told people in the Mets organization he would consider re-signing with the team this winter, but there are at least three other teams ahead of them on his “wish” list as the 30-year old reaches free agency for the first time.
CABRERA IN DEMAND
Asdrubal Cabrera has been making his case. The veteran infielder who demanded to be traded when he was moved off of shortstop in June, is looking to prove he is a viable infielder for next season. He’s been steady at third base, pretty good at second base and his bat of late is speaking volumes.
The Mets are certainly considering picking up the $8.5 million option on Cabrera’s contract for 2018. That was a sticking point for Cabrera earlier this season when they asked him to play third base. When the Mets refused to discuss his option, he told reporters he had asked for a trade. Ironically, he was one the two veterans that the Mets didn’t move in their salary dump.