Mets, desperate for a clutch bat, jump on Jay Bruce

4:39 PM ET

NEW YORK — The New York Mets are poised to acquire outfielder Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds. The package the Mets are expected to send back will include 22-year-old second baseman Dilson Herrera.

Here is a look at relevant questions related to the deal:

Why Bruce? With Curtis Granderson signed for one more season and Michael Conforto under control for five more years, why exactly did the Mets need another lefty-hitting corner outfielder? Well, with the Mets unable to land catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the Milwaukee Brewers, they clearly felt that getting the best bat they could was a priority, regardless of position. The Mets rank last in the majors in batting average with runners in scoring position at .206. Bruce this season is hitting .360 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 89 at-bats in those situations. Overall, Bruce is batting .265 with 20 homers and an NL-leading 80 RBIs. So Yoenis Cespedes and Bruce can man the corner …

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