Jay Bruce opting out?

Aaron Boone says that Jay Bruce will NOT work out with the #Yankees today, and will await a roster decision in the next 48 hours.

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 25, 2021

Jay Bruce might be using his opt out clause pretty soon. It was nice to see Bruce hit with some opposite field power early in spring training, but him potentially not making the team isn't necessarily a surprise. Bruce hasn't been great the last three years (.217/.282/.448 with a 92 wRC+), and you can easily make the argument that Mike Tauchman can not only replicate that, but can also provide much better defense. Having another outfielder on the roster, other than Gardner, that can spell Hicks, Judge, and Frazier is probably a better option than a bench lefty bat, who doesn't play the outfield particularly well. We'll see what the Yankees decide to do, but right now it looks like Bruce is out and the Sock Man is in.