Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Walt Jocketty today announced the acquisitions of IF Dilson Herrera and LHP Max Wotell from the New York Mets in exchange for OF Jay Bruce.
Herrera, 22, originally was signed by the Pirates in 2010 and was aquired by the Mets in August 2013. Wotell, 19, was the Mets' third-round pick in 2015.
"This was a very difficult trade for us to make because of how our fans, ownership and everyone in our organization feel about Jay, but we acquired two quality players who better fit the direction our organization is heading," Jocketty said. "Herrera is considered one of the brightest young stars in the game today. Wotell fits in with the other good, strong arms we've been trying to stockpile in our minor league system."
Bruce, 27, was drafted by the Reds with the 12th overall pick of the June 2005 first-year player draft. On December 14, 2010, he avoided arbitration by signing a 6-year contract through this season, with a club option for 2017.
"Over the past 9 seasons, we couldn't have asked for a better person to represent our team, our city and Major League Baseball, both on and off the field," Jocketty said of Bruce. "During these difficult last few months, he has answered questions about his future almost daily, while continuing to handle himself with the class and professionalism he has shown since the day we drafted him. We wish Jay and Hannah nothing but good things in their future together."