Blue Jays, Angels talking Jay Bruce, Michael Saunders trade

Jay Bruce’s name apparently has been coming up in trade talks and the Blue Jays reportedly want him.

Toronto was talking with the Oakland A’s and Cincinnati Reds about a three-team trade to acquire Bruce. That deal fell apart, but now the Jays reportedly are getting the Angels involved as a third team.

deal on table has bruce to #jays, michael saunders to #angels, prospects to #reds

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 23, 2016

Ken Rosenthal adds that new Angels GM Billy Eppler has had his eye on Saunders for a while.

Also: #Yankees, with Eppler as assistant GM, wanted Saunders from #BlueJays after TOR acquired him from #Mariners. Eppler now #Angels GM.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 23, 2016

Bruce is owed $12.5 million this season, which is why the Reds would like to get rid of him. He batted just .226/.294/.434 last season, though he did club 26 home runs. He averaged 32 home runs a season from 2011-2013. Eppler’s interest in Saunders doesn’t make a ton of sense. He only played nine games due to injury last season and is due $2.9 million this year. A former Mariners outfielder, Saunders is a career .230 hitter.