By Erik Erickson / Associated Press
SEATTLE — Former All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce was traded to Philadelphia by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, a deal that will cost the Phillies just $2.75 million over the next 1½ seasons.
As part of the trade finalized Sunday, Seattle agreed to pay the Phillies $18,567,204 next Jan. 15, offsetting most of the $21,317,204 remaining in the $39 million, three-year contract Bruce agreed to with the New York Mets in January 2018.
Bruce is owed $8,317,204 this year from his $13 million salary and has a $13 million salary in 2020. The Mets remain responsible for the second $1.5 million installment of his $3 million signing bonus, a payment due Jan. 31.
Philadelphia sent the Mariners minor league infielder Jake Scheiner, who will report to Class A Modesto,
The 32-year-old Bruce is hitting .212 with 14 homers and 28 RBI. He has struck out 53 times in 184 at-bats.
“I figured this would be the situation,” Bruce said. “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.”
A three-time All-Star for Cincinnati in 2011, 2012 and 2016, Bruce was acquired by the Mets from the Reds on Aug. 1, 2016, traded to Cleveland on Aug. 9, 2017, then became a free agent and returned the Mets.
He hit just .223 with nine homers and 37 RBI in 94 games last year, and New York traded him to Seattle in December as part of the deal in which the Mariners sent second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz to the Mets.
“Jay’s been great,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said Saturday. “He’s got a lot of experience. He’s certainly helped a lot of our players, the younger guys especially, just with how to deal with the ups and downs. You’re going to have hot streaks. You’re going to have cold streaks. It’s just how you deal with it.”
Philadelphia outfielder Odubel Herrera was placed on administrative leave by the commissioner’s office Tuesday under the sport’s domestic violence policy after his arrest in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Bruce’s last hit with Seattle was memorable, his 300th home run Friday, against the Los Angeles Angels. He is one of eight active players with at least 300 home runs and 300 doubles.
Seattle recalled outfielder Braden Bishop from Triple-A Tacoma to take Bruce’s place on the roster.
The 23-year-old Scheiner, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft, hit .256 with two homers and 20 RBIs at Class A Clearwater this season.
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