UPDATE (Nov. 12, 2:50 p.m. PT): According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies are not involved in trade talks for Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons:
FYI. Source tells me #Rockies ARE NOT involved in trade talks with #Braves for Simmons.
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) November 12, 2015
UPDATE (Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m. PT): According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padre as teams interested in Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons:
This is what I have heard on #Braves shopping Simmons: #Padres #Dodgers #Angels all interested. Talks at very early stages
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 12, 2015
Sherman adds the New York Mets inquired on Simmons, and were asked for one of their elite starting pitchers:
#Mets inquired on Simmons this morn and told ask price is Harvey or deGrom, so no way. Also shows how #Braves initially valuing Simmons
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 12, 2015
With word out that Atlanta is listening on calls for Simmons, several teams have contacted the Braves, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports:
The #Braves have now fielded calls from nearly half the teams in baseball since making Andrelton Simmons available in trade talks.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 12, 2015
Through the first three days of the Major League Baseball general manager meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., the majority of news and rumors have centered around free agents Zack Greinke and David Price, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ managerial search.
Greinke and Price have been labeled the top options on the market this winter, however the Atlanta Braves may change that should they elect to move Andrelton Simmons.
The 26-year-old shortstop 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.
By Wednesday evening, ESPN’s Jonah Keri reported Simmons was the subject of trade talks between the Braves and an unnamed National League West team:
Source: #Braves trade talks with NL West team revolve around Andrelton Simmons.
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) November 12, 2015
According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, the Braves are not discussing a Simmons trade with the San Francisco Giants, who have Brandon Crawford entrenched at shortstop:
I'm told Giants aren't in deep trade talks with Atlanta.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 12, 2015
To this point, the Colorado Rockies, Dodgers and San Diego Padres haven’t been ruled out as the team that’s engaging Atlanta. However, Denis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Padres, while interested, aren’t close to completing a trade:
Source: The Padres have checked in on Andrelton Simmons, but nothing is close at this time.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) November 12, 2015
Under first-year general manager A.J. Preller the Padres completed two major trades with the Braves.
The first came in December of 2014 with San Diego acquiring Justin Upton and Aaron Northcraft in exchange for Max Fried, Jace Peterson, Dustin Peterson, Mallex Smith, and international bonus compensation.
Then on the eve of the 2015 season beginning, the Braves sent All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to the Padres for Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, two minor leaguers and a draft pick.
San Diego’s quest for a shortstop has been well-documented, though they may not have the prospects to entice Atlanta into dealing Simmons. The Rockies may face a similar challenge.
The Dodgers certainly would appear to have the pieces necessary to complete a trade for Simmons, but how much young talent in their organization they’d be willing to part with is a question mark.
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.
