There isn’t a spot for the lumbering left-hander in the Mets plans for 2018.

Derik Hamilton | USA TODAY Sports

Let’s begin with the good news: Jay Bruce, in 2017, is turning in his best season in years. From 2014 to 2016, over the course of 1,781 plate appearances, Jay Bruce hit a paltry .231/.295/.440 (94 wRC+) and posted just 0.2 WAR. He was replacement-level for three years in the middle of his prime, a defensive liability who strikes out too much.

Fast-forward to this season and Bruce is in the midst of somewhat of a renaissance. Bruce is hitting .260/.324/.528 and has posted 2.1 WAR, thanks to some friendly defensive fielding metrics. He’s still lumbering — and likely still below average defensively — but his 29 home runs should be a welcome addition to any team.

So why doesn’t anyone want him?