Jay Bruce's Contract Option Picked Up by Mets: Latest Details and Reaction

Outfielder Jay Bruce will reportedly return to the New York Mets in 2017 after his option was picked up by the team on Thursday, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com and Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball. 

According to Spotrac, Bruce will make $13 million next season. 

Bruce was dealt to the Mets at the 2016 trade deadline by the Cincinnati Reds, a team he spent the first eight seasons of his career with. 

At the time of his trade, Bruce had 25 home runs and 80 RBI, which led the National League. He was a much-needed addition to a Mets offense that was struggling to score runs. 

But upon his arrival, Bruce struggled, batting just .219 with eight home runs and 19 RBI in the final 50 games of the season with the Mets. 

While he did heat up at the end of the season, it wasn't enough, as the Mets fell in the Wild Card Game to the San Francisco Giants. 

A three-time All-Star, Bruce is a threatening presence in the middle of any lineup when he's on his game. And with the potential departure of Yoenis Cespedes looming, losing Bruce would have been a huge blow for the Mets lineup.

Luckily for the Mets, they can now shift their entire focus to getting Cespedes back after he opted out of his deal. 

With protection in the lineup returning in the form of Bruce, the Mets could use that to ensure they keep Cespedes in blue and orange.