Carlos Gonalez vs. Jay Bruce

by PhillyPhanatic on Dec 20, 2025 1:19 AM EST

Who would you rather have long term? Both have almost identical contracts except Cargo's gets more expensive in the later years. Cargo has the edge in Avg. and SB but Bruce may have the edge in power but that is open to debate as both have at one point hit 34-35 hr and both play in pitchers parks. Bruce is however I believe 2 years younger than Cargo so that comes into play in a keeper league. So who would you choose. I suspect most will choose Cargo which is honestly my choice, but I'd like to hear some of your opinions. Especially on how close they are and what you see their futures being. Thanks.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

both play in pitchers parks

I assume you mean hitters park.

I would take Cargo

Buried Treasure - #17 Pirates Prospect - Gorkys Hernandez
Buried Treasure - The Excitement over Yu Darvish
Shenanigans

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Dec 20, 2025 1:52 AM EST reply actions

RE:

Yes I did mean hitters parks, sorry typed this up with a 102-103 fever so certain details escaped me while writing it. I figured the consensus would be to take Cargo since he is obviously more valuable, but say for example in a trade you were offered Bruce and a decent prospect say Kyle Giblson (I know he’s missing the year due to TJ) for Cargo, would you still keep Cargo then?

by PhillyPhanatic on Dec 20, 2025 6:23 AM EST up reply actions

Ya

I think I’d still take Cargo, although I haven’t checked contract details. Not sure if those matter to you.

Buried Treasure - #17 Pirates Prospect - Gorkys Hernandez
Buried Treasure - The Excitement over Yu Darvish
Shenanigans

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Dec 20, 2025 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

I'd take Cargo, too

While Bruce, in his optimal year, would hit for more power, Cargo would probably, in his optimal year, hit for a higher average, give you better speed and defense.

It’s close, though. Cargo, though, has done it (two years ago he was a MONSTER) but Bruce is still mostly potential.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Dec 20, 2025 7:35 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

I own Cargo, and I’ve been trying to keep this as far away from a fantasy trade advice post as much as possible, but I already own Cargo and like him but Bruce isn’t much of a downgrade and I could get a top prospect along with bruce for Cargo straight up, so I was trying to allude to what would you rather have Cargo or Bruce and a prospect like (Kyle Gibson,rex brothers, tyler matzek, or stetson allie?) If it was straight up I would take Cargo in a heart beat no question. But I’m just wondering if I taking the package deal would benefit me more. Or if Cargo is that good that it’s just better to hold on to him. Like I said I was trying to keep trade advice out of the question, but i suppose there was no way to do it. Sorry. So what would you rather have Cargo or Bruce and one of those prospects… with Cargo’s and Bruce’s contracts being nearly identical?

by PhillyPhanatic on Dec 20, 2025 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

With the package.

While I lean Cargo in a one-on-one situation, in this case when pitching is a premium if you can get a good pitching prospect I say you should go for it. I would try to extract more for him though as he is coming to you in this case.

by tarheels24 on Dec 20, 2025 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

Made a similar trade a year ago

Boils down to Cargo for Bruce, Zack Cozart and Zach Stewart. Can’t say I’m too proud of that trade. I’d definitely think it would take more than 1 prospect to balance it out.

Mourning Guy Carbonneau...
Royals obscure player to watch in ST: Lenny DiNardo

by playingwithfire on Dec 20, 2025 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Kyle Gibson,rex brothers, tyler matzek, or stetson allie?

none of those are “top prospects”.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Dec 21, 2025 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

I think the two years make a big difference

And I think that Jay Bruce (a) has underperformed so far, and (b) won’t continue to underperform. Cargo’s stats have also been more inflated by Coors than Bruce’s have by his park. In the real world, I take Bruce. I gather this is fantasy - I think I still take Bruce there, too. I think he catches Cargo and passes him cleanly over the course of his career.

by Brownson on Dec 20, 2025 11:54 AM EST reply actions

Great Advice

Thanks Guys! This is exactly the type of responses i was hoping for, the deal is in no rush, and the owner did come to me and is a big rockies fan… So I could push for more. Keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it! Thanks again!

by PhillyPhanatic on Dec 20, 2025 12:11 PM EST reply actions

Wait, are you the Reds in my league?

We made this trade a year ago…

Mourning Guy Carbonneau...
Royals obscure player to watch in ST: Lenny DiNardo

by playingwithfire on Dec 20, 2025 1:34 PM EST reply actions

no

This is another Keeper league and Mccuthenistruth yes contract does matter. We use actual player contracts in our league. But Bruce and Cargo have practically Identical contracts until 2015 when Cargo jumps to 20 mil a season and Bruce is around 13-15 but id have probably traded one or the other by then. So the consensus is that if I do move him, it should be for Bruce and more than 1 prospect?

by PhillyPhanatic on Dec 20, 2025 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Two super overrated players

Bruce’s wOBA drops 67 points on the road, and Gonzalez’s drops 95. But I take Bruce, Gonzalez’s road wOBA is better .326 to .310, but Bruce’s UZR is much better.

by Bososx13 on Dec 20, 2025 8:06 PM EST reply actions

oh you mean fantasy

I’m not sure then

by Bososx13 on Dec 20, 2025 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

super overrated?

or is wOBA super overrated?

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Dec 21, 2025 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

People like to pick a new stat every week to say what defines a player

I miss the day when people used multiple stats to determine if a player is good. It is odd that more information is actually making player evaluation lazy and ineffective.

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Dec 21, 2025 1:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

KBR

I’m very interested to hear your opinion regarding this as i am an avid reader of your posts. I own CarGo and the consensus seems to be that he is the superior of the two OF, considering he hits for a higher avg. and has substantially higher SB totals. However, Bruce is 2 years younger and their contracts are identical until 2015. I know it’s frowned upon to ask for fantasy advice in this league but I trust the opinions of ppl on this site more than any other i use. I own cargo but have been offered Bruce and another prospect or two or a prospect and draft pick… He owns taillon and turner but i feel that is asking too much, i could ask for gibson but he is out for the year with TJ. or i could just keep Cargo… what are your thoughts?

by PhillyPhanatic on Dec 21, 2025 8:33 AM EST up reply actions