Report: Blue Jays have discussed Reds' Jay Bruce

The Toronto Blue Jays could be in the market for a left-handed bat. And one name the team has talked about is Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports. 

Bruce could help the Blue Jays recoup some of what they lost from the left side of the plate when the team traded Adam Lind to the Milwaukee Brewers at the beginning of the month.  

Further, Toronto is at risk of losing free-agent outfielders Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus - a pair of Opening Day starters in 2014 - so its reported interest in Bruce makes some sense. Rookie Dalton Pompey is the likely starter in center field, while left field plans are far from concrete.

Bruce is under contract for two more seasons at a total of $24.5 million, and has a team option worth $13 million ($1 million buyout) for 2017. 

The 27-year-old is coming off an injury-plagued down season but has otherwise been an above-average offensive contributor throughout his career. He hit just .217/.281/.373 with 18 homers in 137 games, and missed time after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. 

Bruce's strikeout and walk rates have been moving in the wrong direction, which follows a league-wide trend for hitters. His strikeout rate climbed to a career-high mark last season, while he drew walks at his lowest percentage since his rookie season in 2008. 

FanGraphs had him at -1.1 WAR - the fourth-lowest mark among qualified position players - but he had been worth 3-plus WAR in three of the four seasons prior, including 4.0 in 2013.

While Bruce has struggled hitting southpaws as well as righties, his power has remained consistent against lefties. Bruce's 50 homers against left-handed pitchers since the start of the 2010 season is the most in all of baseball. 

The Reds' 2005 first-round draft pick has played the majority of his career in right field, a position currently occupied in Toronto by Jose Bautista.