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Seattle Mariners: Who gets flipped and who stays for now?

By Ty Gonzalez

ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians looks on in the first inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 12, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians looks on in the first inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 12, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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OF/1B JAY BRUCE

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 17: Jay Bruce #19 of the New York Mets reacts after being called out on strikes in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on April 17, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 17: Jay Bruce #19 of the New York Mets reacts after being called out on strikes in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on April 17, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Paired with Swarzak in the Robinson Canó portion of the Mariners and Mets’ blockbuster deal, Jay Bruce may be the most interesting veteran on Seattle’s roster as of now. Quietly, Bruce was a force of nature in 2016 and 2017, hitting 69 home runs and 200 RBI combined over the two seasons.

But alike Swarzak, Bruce dealt with injuries for most of 2018 and saw his production significantly decline. In 361 plate appearances, Bruce slashed .223/.310/.370 with 9 home runs, the lowest power numbers of his career by far. Given the circumstances, it’s hard to think that this is who Bruce is now.

With an offseason worth of rehab, Bruce should be able to get back to being the player he’s been for most of the late 2010s. If the power numbers rise, he’s able to hit in the .240-.250 range, and get on-base in the .325-.335 range, the Mariners may be able to flip him for something decent in July. Of course, Bruce is under contract through the 2020 season at a $13 million AAV, so Seattle may have to fork over some dollars to maximize their return.

Potential destinations this Winter: Blue Jays, Indians, Twins
Prediction: Traded in July or August.

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