Jay Bruce Interested In Contract Extension

Reds outfielder Jay Bruce is already signed through 2016, but he's hoping to add another six years to his current contract. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon heard from agent Matt Sosnick that Bruce wants to be with Cincinnati for the rest of his career.

"[Bruce] made it clear that he wants to be a Red his entire career," said Sosnick. "Jay asked me to approach the team and see if something is there … If the Reds are interested in talking, we would be interested in exploring it. If not, we'll take no message from it and have no hard feelings. We're in no hurry to sign a contract extension. It was a thought that Jay had because he loves the Reds and Cincinnati."

Sosnick acknowledged informally broaching the subject of a new contract with GM Walt Jocketty, but wouldn't discuss financials with Sheldon. Jocketty said a contract extension is "something that has not been discussed at this point."

Bruce, 25, hit .252/.327/.514 with 34 homers in 633 plate appearances this season. He signed a six-year, $51MM contract prior to 2011 that bought out two free agent years. As our Extension Tracker shows, the Reds have a history of signing their players to long-term contracts, most notably locked up Joey Votto's for ten years and $225MM last winter.