Report: Cincinnati Reds close to trading Jay Bruce

The Reds’ Jay Bruce rounds the bases after a home run against the A’s on June 11 at Great American Ball Park. David Jablonski/Staff

The Reds’ Jay Bruce rounds the bases after a home run against the A’s on June 11 at Great American Ball Park. David Jablonski/Staff

The Cincinnati Reds have found a match in their quest to trade right fielder Jay Bruce, according to a report.

Bob Nightengale, of USA Today, wrote on Twitter early Monday morning the Reds will trade Bruce to a National League team, but not the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the teams rumored to be interested in Bruce. Jerry Crasnick, of ESPN, reported the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers are the “last teams standing” in the Bruce trade talks.

The trade deadline is 4 p.m. Monday. Bruce didn’t play Sunday in a 3-2 road victory over the San Diego Padres. The Reds don’t play Monday and return to action at home against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Nothing official has been announced by the Reds regarding a trade involving Bruce. The Indians, Mets and Giants are other teams that have been mentioned in trade talks.

Bruce is hitting .265. He’s tied for fourth in the National League with 25 home runs and leads the league with 80 RBIs.

Bruce, 29, has played his entire career with the Reds. He debuted in 2008. He ranks seventh in Reds history with 233 career home runs and is the all-time leader in home runs (135) at Great American Ball Park.

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