Mets trade Jay Bruce to Indians

The Indians have acquired outfielder Jay Bruce from the Mets for right-hander Ryder Ryan, a source confirmed to SB Nation. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the return.

Bruce, 30, drew interest from Cleveland before the non-waiver trade deadline in July but stayed put as the Mets dealt only Lucas Duda and Addison Reed while acquiring A.J. Ramos. The Indians made only one move at the deadline, acquiring reliever Joe Smith from the Blue Jays for two prospects.

Bruce will give Cleveland an additional outfield option alongside Austin Jackson, Bradley Zimmer, Abraham Almonte and the injured Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall on the club’s depth chart. Bruce, a free agent after the season, has hit .258/.324/.524 with 29 homers and 75 RBI for the Mets this season.

The Yankees also pursued Bruce after he cleared waivers, according to reports, though the Mets were apparently more intrigued with Cleveland’s offer.

For the Indians, the addition of Bruce is the club’s most significant in-season addition this season, giving the club a power bat at a time when they sit 3.5 games ahead of the second-place Royals in the AL Central.

Ryan, 22, was drafted by the Indians in the 30th round of last year’s draft out of the University of North Carolina. He has posted a 4.79 ERA in 41.1 innings for Single-A Lake County so far this season.

The Indians assumed all of Bruce’s remaining salary in the deal (about $5 million), causing the lesser prospect return.