Sources: Jays talking 3-way trade for Jay Bruce with Reds, Angels

— -- The Reds are in advanced talks about a three-team trade that would send Jay Bruce to the Blue Jays, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jim Bowden.

The Angels would be the third team involved in the trade and would receive outfielder Michael Saunders from Toronto in the deal, sources confirmed.

The Angels would send a second-tier prospect to Cincinnati, which would receive a second-tier prospect from the Blue Jays in the trade, sources said. 

The news was first reported by MLB.com.

One source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that he is optimistic the deal will get done. Another source confirmed the deal is advancing enough that doctors are reviewing medical information before the three teams sign off on the trade.

Bruce, who turns 29 in April, and the Reds avoided arbitration when they agreed on a six-year contract after the 2010 season. This will be the last season of that contract. The Reds have an option for 2017, which they are not expected to use after Bruce completes his eighth full season in the majors.

As of the past season, Toronto was one of the teams Bruce could not be traded to without prior approval, but he removed the Blue Jays from his no-trade clause several months ago, a source told Crasnick.

Bruce's contract currently allows him to block trades to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland A's and Tampa Bay Rays, the source said.

Bruce is one of only 16 players in major league history to hit at least 20 home runs in each of his first six seasons. He is the only player to hit at least 20 home runs and increase his total each of the next four years.

His .217 batting average in 2014 and .226 batting average the past season, with strikeout totals of 149 and 145, caused his trade value to plummet. 

Bruce had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in May 2014. He returned after two weeks.