Colorado Rockies interested in free agent outfielder Jay Bruce

Even though the Colorado Rockies have a bevy of players who can play the outfield positions on the 40-man roster but the club is still looking at some outfielders.

The Colorado Rockies, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Twitter, have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Jay Bruce.

Bruce would be an interesting signing for the Rockies. If he were to be signed, he would add a power left-handed bat to the Rockies lineup that, as of now, only features Gerardo Parra and Charlie Blackmon as locks to make the team who bat left-handed.

Bruce in the past

Bruce has spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and the Cleveland Indians in his career. Last season, which he split between the Mets and Indians, he had an offensive slash line of .254/.324/.508 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI and an OPS+ of 115.

In his career, he has had six seasons in which he had 87 or more RBI (and five seasons of 97 or more RBI). In addition, he has had seven seasons of 25 or more home runs.

He also is a good defensive outfielder as, according to Baseball Reference, he had six Defensive Runs Saved between the Mets and Indians last season.

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What a contract could like for him

In the beginning of November, MLB Trade Rumors said that Bruce is the 14th best free agent this offseason. They predicted that he would sign with the Toronto Blue Jays for three years and $39 million.

I think that their prediction is a bit low. The reason why is that he has made between $12 and $13 million in the past three seasons so he will look for a salary increase. Also, considering that he will turn 31 at the beginning of April, I think he could potentially get a four year deal. I think that he will probably get between 15 and 18 million so I would say anywhere between three years and $45 million and four years and $72 million.

Personally, I would not want to give more than three years guaranteed in a contract because you don’t know how he will be later on but if the Rockies really do want him, they may have to give him a fourth year and considering the Mets, Indians, and Mariners have expressed interest in signing/re-signing him, a fourth year may have to be on the table to get him