Angels land Simmons in deal with Braves
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | @Alden_Gonzalez | 6:37 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- The Angels acquired Andrelton Simmons, arguably the game's best defensive shortstop, from the Braves on Thursday, industry sources told MLB.com.
In exchange, the Braves are expected to receive veteran shortstop Erick Aybar along with the Angels' top two prospects, lefty Sean Newcomb and righty Chris Ellis, sources said. The Angels are also expected to send $3 million to the Braves, according to the New York Post. Neither club has confirmed the deal.
• Hot Stove Tracker
The Angels were seeking a long-term answer at shortstop. Aybar is a free agent at the end of the 2016 season and 21-year-old Roberto Baldoquin, given an $8 million signing bonus last December, is seemingly a long way from being Major League ready.
Simmons, 26, is controllable for five more seasons.
Simmons, who was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, has batted a subpar .252/.301/.357 since the start of the 2013 season. During that time, though, he also has a Major League-best 94 Defensive Runs Saved.
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | @Alden_Gonzalez | 6:37 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- The Angels acquired Andrelton Simmons, arguably the game's best defensive shortstop, from the Braves on Thursday, industry sources told MLB.com.
In exchange, the Braves are expected to receive veteran shortstop Erick Aybar along with the Angels' top two prospects, lefty Sean Newcomb and righty Chris Ellis, sources said. The Angels are also expected to send $3 million to the Braves, according to the New York Post. Neither club has confirmed the deal.
• Hot Stove Tracker
The Angels were seeking a long-term answer at shortstop. Aybar is a free agent at the end of the 2016 season and 21-year-old Roberto Baldoquin, given an $8 million signing bonus last December, is seemingly a long way from being Major League ready.
Simmons, 26, is controllable for five more seasons.
Simmons, who was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, has batted a subpar .252/.301/.357 since the start of the 2013 season. During that time, though, he also has a Major League-best 94 Defensive Runs Saved.