LOS ANGELES _ Phillies general manager Matt Klentak became one of the first to strike long before the July 31 trade deadline Sunday when he completed a deal with the Seattle Mariners for Jay Bruce. In need of a left-handed bat with some pop, the Phillies added the 32-year-old Bruce, who hit his 300th career home run Friday night.
Bruce is in the second season of a three-year deal worth $39 million he signed with the New York Mets before last season. According to the Associated Press, the Phillies will only pay Bruce $2.75 million over the next two seasons. The AP reported that he is owed $8,317,204 this year from his $13 million salary and has a $13 million salary in 2020. The Mets owe him a $1.5-million installment as part of his $3 million signing bonus. That payment is due Jan. 31.
The Mariners are receiving a minor-league prospect in return, according to a Phillies source.
"I figured this would be the situation," Bruce told reporters in Seattle. "It's bittersweet. I really like the group of guys here. I got to know some of them and had great relationships. It's part of the business, though. I get to go somewhere I have a chance to win, and at this point in my career, that's pretty paramount for me."
In his 12th season, Bruce is hitting .212 with a .283 on-base percentage and an .816 OPS. He has 11 doubles and 14 home runs among his 35 hits. The former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds is a career .246 hitter with a .317 on-base percentage and .785 OPS. He has 301 doubles and 903 RBIs to go along with his 300 home runs.
The Phillies are attracted to Bruce's power and also believe he will be a quality presence in their clubhouse even though his playing time is likely to be reduced from his role with the Mariners. He started 44 of Seattle's 61 games this season, playing left field, right field, first base and designated hitter.
The deal was not announced ahead of the Phillies' series finale with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Bruce broke the news in Seattle. The Phillies likely delayed the announcement so they could have a complete roster for Sunday's game.
In all likelihood, outfielder Nick Williams will be headed back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley where he will again get regular at-bats. Williams had been optioned to the IronPigs in the middle of May, but was recalled Tuesday after Odubel Herrera was placed on seven-day administrative leave following his arrest in Atlantic City on a simple assault charge after allegedly striking his 20-year-old girlfriend.
Herrera will be eligible to return Tuesday, but baseball can also extend his leave as it investigates his situation. He has a June 17 court date in Atlantic City.
The Phillies already had concerns about lineup balance even before the left-handed hitting Herrera's arrest. He was hitting just .222 with one home run after hitting 22 home runs a year ago. The Phillies have had an overall lack of power this season, ranking just 23rd in baseball with 68 homers heading into Sunday's game against the Dodgers. Conversely, their pitchers have surrendered 90 home runs, the most in the National League.
Bruce is able to play left field, right field and first base. He is likely to see the bulk of his playing time with the Phillies in left field on days when Andrew McCutchen plays center field.
