Outfielder Jay Bruce liked San Francisco and wanted to be a Giant. The Giants apparently were not as enamored with Bruce.
So one San Francisco outfield option went off the board Wednesday when Bruce agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with the New York Mets, according to a major-league source.
The Chronicle learned that the Giants offered Bruce a three-year deal as well, but for less money.
Bruce, who turns 31 on April 3, returns to a team for whom he played in 2016 and part of 2017, before he was traded to Cleveland.
The left-handed hitter totaled 36 home runs last season, 29 for the Mets and seven for the Indians, and would have provided another power bat to a San Francisco lineup that needs it even if he could not hit that many homers playing his home games at AT&T Park.
The Giants are hoping to improve their outfield defense, too, and while Bruce is not considered a stellar defender, manager Bruce Bochy had said he believed Bruce could have handled right field at AT&T Park.
The Giants are said to be involved in numerous trade discussions for outfielders, including Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton and Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, although talks have cooled. Bruce did not seem to be one of their A-list options.