Phillies trade rumor: Club finalizing Jay Bruce deal

A new Phillies trade rumor appears to be close to completion.

The Phillies are close to acquiring Seattle Mariners outfielder Jay Bruce in a deal that will bolster their bench, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Jim Salisbury of NBCSP says a deal is in the works but it is not final as of 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday. Passan expects the deal to be done in the next 24 hours and says it is “imminent.”

There’s no word on what Philadelphia will send back, but considering the money attached to Bruce it shouldn’t be a significant prospect.

There had been a Phillies trade rumor that general manager Matt Klentak was searching for a left-handed power bat for his bench, which has hit just one home run all season.

Bruce has 14 home runs this season and is signed through the 2020 season with a $14 million price tag for next year. In 47 games for Seattle, he’s hitting a measly .212, but Philadelphia is more concerned about the power off the bench, and potentially in the middle of their lineup.

Bruce recently hit his 300th career home run and has hit 10 home runs in 38 career games at Citizens Bank Park.

Adding Bruce could spell bad news regarding Odubel Herrera, who was placed on administrative leave after being arrested in Atlantic City following a domestic incident involving his girlfriend.

Bruce could move into left field for Philadelphia and Andrew McCutchen could see time in center in place of Herrera, although Scott Kingery has played well in his new role.

Adding Bruce also means Nick Williams will likely go back to the IronPigs after a two-game stint last month. Williams and Aaron Altherr lost their opportunities to star off the bench this year after horrid starts for each of them.

Altherr has since been DFA’d by the Giants and is now on the Mets roster.