UPDATE (Nov. 12, 4:25 p.m. PT): Along with Andrelton Simmons, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are also receiving Minor League catcher Jose Briceno, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
#Angels also are getting lower-level C prospect Jose Briceno in Simmons trade from #Braves
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 13, 2015
On the third night of the general manager meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., it was reported the Atlanta Braves were engaged in trade talks with a National League West team for shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
The San Francisco Giants were soon ruled out as the unnamed team, with the San Diego Padres said to have interest but also not close to a deal with the Braves.
By Thursday morning the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and New York Mets were among the growing list of teams to call the Braves on Simmons.
According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the Angels and Braves completed a trade centered around Simmons:
Source: Andrelton Simmons has been traded to the Angels. #Braves
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) November 12, 2015
Heading to Atlanta in the deal are shortstop Erick Aybar, and pitching prospects Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis, and cash considerations , via Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
#Braves trade Simmons to #Angels for Newcomb, Ellis, Aybar and about $3M
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 12, 2015
Newcomb, 22, is ranked by most as the top prospect in the Angels’ system. He was drafted 15th overall by Anaheim in the 2014 draft.
Newcomb pitched in Low-A Burlington and High-A Inland Empire before finishing the season with Double-A Arkansas last season. Ellis is ranked by MLB.com as the Angels’ second-best prospect.
He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011 draft (50th round) but opted to attend the University of Mississippi.
The Angels then selected Ellis in the third round of the 2014 draft. The right-hander spent the 2015 season with High-A Inland Empire and Double-A Arkansas.
Aybar spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Angels, batting .276/.315/.378. He’s only under contract through the 2016 season.
In Simmons the Angels land arguably the best defensive shortstop in the game. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2013 and 2014, and added the 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award to his collection on Wednesday.
Simmons hit .265/.321/.338 with four home runs, 44 RBIs, a .297 wOBA and 82 wRC+ in 147 games last seasons/ He’s under contract for $53 million over the next five seasons.
