Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons is one of baseball’s most prominent players entering a contract year. It remains to be seen whether the Angels will stop him from reaching the open market, but they have held “internal discussions” regarding an extension for Simmons, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register wrote a few weeks ago. However, as of then, they hadn’t reached out to Simmons or his representatives about a long-term deal, per Fletcher.
Simmons offered an uncontroversial statement in regards to his future, saying: “I’m not even thinking about it. The only time I think about it is when (the media) brings it up. It is what it is. All I can do is play. I’m going to try to get better in spring training and just play good and at the end of the day, we’ll be where we need to be.”
Acquired from the Braves entering the 2016 season, Simmons has been highly effective as an Angel, thanks in no small part to his well-known wizardry as a defender. His brilliance at short gives him a high floor, meaning he doesn’t have to star at the plate in order to provide significant value to his team. For example, Simmons totaled 5.0-plus fWAR in both 2017 and ’18 despite combining for a decent (hardly great) .285/.334/.419 line over those two seasons. But last season represented a step back for Simmons, who wasn’t himself because of an ankle injury. Simmons wound up with a .264/.309/.364 line and 1.7 fWAR across 424 plate appearances, though he did continue to amaze in the field, accounting for 12 Defensive Runs Saved and a 10.4 Ultimate Zone Rating.
Simmons is a historically marvelous defender, but as Fletcher explains in his piece, shortstops tend to wear down quickly once they reach their 30s. So, there would be plenty of risk on the Angels’ part in making a multiyear commitment to Simmons now, especially after he put up such a mediocre 2019 on the offensive side. A healthy Simmons may very well bounce back, though, and if that happens and if the Halos don’t extend him, he’ll enter what may be an interesting class of free agents at his position. The Athletics’ Marcus Semien and the Phillies’ Didi Gregorius are the other two headlining free agents-to-be whom shortstop-needy clubs could pursue.
Reaction Halo Clown’s!!?
You’re the only halo clown around Shane
there is his significant other dr. doom, too.
Why does anyone respond to his constant trolling? Why isn’t he banned?
Simmons is the biggest trade steal since the Tigers got Max Scherzer. I hope they extend him 4 more years. Longevity on one team will help his hall case some day.
absolutely should extend him.
as for ss’s losing defense, ozzie was above average in dwar all the way to 39.
I’m the Angels will give him a 3 year exstension. He’s too good to let go.
Lmao. Unless they give him 25 mil a year, he’s not signing for 3 years at age 29 as the best defensive shortstop in this generation
Galvis is better
At what?
DarkSide as good as Galvis is on D, and why Cincy fans aren’t pleased to have him is ridiculous, Andrelton Simmons works on another level.
He’s not getting 5.
There not paying 20+mill for another offensive piece on the books next year-
Trout 37 Pujos 30 Rendon 28 Upton 23 Yes folks that’ ( 118 mill ) for 4 players (3 really Pujos is a complete wash)
Take your pics this year and remember the good times
They’re currently paying 128m for the 5 of them this season. Pujols is gone after 2021, and a 20m/year extension for Simmons would only be adding an additional 5m/year to payroll (he’s making 15 this season). If he looks like the pre-2019 Andrelton (whenever baseball starts) this yeah, seems like an easy call to extend him.
*this year
They have the money and will have a balance of vets and youngsters on the roster to even out payroll. If Rendon and Simmons do as well together locking down the left side as people think this season, it’s a no brainer to try and get Simmons extended.
still have $20 mil to spend before hitting the threshold.
A- They dont go the threshold-
B- I better not hear a peep when you have no money for pitching
C- The money would be much wiser spent on pitching something you have plenty of room for
d- You can get 80% of Simmons in Jose Iglesias for 3 mill a year
Has Arte brainwashed you all as well? You guys complain you have no pitching but you keep wanting to sign 20+ mill a year hitters….. it doesnt work amigos your not an over the cap team or even close really tbh!
You obviously don’t follow the team. You can’t fault an owner who spends money and offers large contracts, not his fault pitchers in your scenario sign elsewhere. Nobody is brainwashed, we are discussing a big market and payroll team and the pitching has had more to do with injuries and deaths so again you obviously don’t follow the team.
A – They’re 20 away from the threshold this season, for 2021 (when a Simmons extension would begin) it’s about 76 million.
B – Again “They’re currently paying 128m for the 5 of them this season. Pujols is gone after 2021, and a 20m/year extension for Simmons would only be adding an additional 5m/year to payroll (he’s making 15 this season). ” I don’t see why the Angels would have to choose one or the other.
C – Or they could do both
D – 80% by what metric? Height? Ia there a different Jose Iglesias you’re referring to?
Oh and E – Why are we assuming Simmons only signs an extension at 20+m/year? Bogaerts is currently the only 20m/year shortstop. Lindor will obviously blow by him in FA but I don’t see Simmons getting that on the open market, especially given how deep the position is right now.
You dont get the point ……you sign him you dont have the proper money to go after pitchers- You want to make the comparison on money but fail to realize that your owner didnt go after any pitching this year with the same allocations….why would he next?
The pitching has more to do with they suck as a unit- Cmon Now Skaggs…please….injuries…well you have no money to sign quality depth to cover them and you dont produce anything from the system yourself….why bc you only sign major hitters to money-
This isnt rocket science here…but again you will all be complaining 2021 when your staff is a pile of slop again but at least you’ll have Simmons-
“You dont get the point ……you sign him you dont have the proper money to go after pitchers”
I do get the point. It would be a stronger one if it were true rather than something you appear to have invented,
“You want to make the comparison on money but fail to realize that your owner didnt go after any pitching this year with the same allocations”
From: mlbtraderumors.com/2020/02/angels-arte-moreno-on-j…
“The Halos did make a legitimate attempt to sign the No. 1 free agent available, right-handed ace Gerrit Cole, as they offered him $300MM over eight years back in December.”
Also tough to sign Teheran and trade for Bundy without “go”ing after pitchers.
“why would he next?”
You’re right. Didn’t manage to land a big name starter this off-season. Never trying to do that again is the most sensible next step.
“Cmon Now Skaggs…please”
Yeah, having a member of your rotation die mid-season, real par-for-the-course stuff. How did the team not just shrug that off?
“well you have no money to sign quality depth to cover them”
Again, completely your own invention.
“why bc you only sign major hitters to money”
You’re also wildly overestimating the probable AAV of a Simmons extension.
“This isnt rocket science here”
The probability of mistaking any of your posts for rocket science is infinitesimal.
Yes you got Rendon Aftttterrrrr Cole offer so next year theres probably no TOR arm bc that is RENDON now!
We are talking about the future here not some celebration of a day you guys had when you made a “”offer” to Cole…. Lets get with the present here shall we….
Do you not understand you have 118 million wrapped up in Pujos Trout Upton and Rendon next year? You have never gone up to 200 million.
.AND you wanna squeeze a (Hofer) Simmons (by your accord) for less than 20 mill (of cource b/c thats what HOfers in their prime get) ??
So now we are at 136 with modest 18 on Simmons and said 4 players, 5 offensive players 136 mill….
And we are suppose to sit here and believe your day dream of fitting in paying the rest of all your arb players, some Tor arms , some depth piece arms, spend a little in the pen, yada yada –
Its nutz my man, your going to have a bottom 10 staff entering 2021 just like you will this year in 2020 and just like you did the year before in 2019 and so on and so forth….its literally almost your guys calling card now
“Yes you got Rendon Aftttterrrrr Cole offer ”
So they did go after pitching. Thank you for recanting your earlier statement.
“so next year theres probably no TOR arm bc that is RENDON now!”
Make up your mind. You’re going to continue this false binary so is it Rendon or a Simmons extension’s fault that the Angels apparently can’t afford to sign a pitcher next offseason?
“Do you not understand you have 118 million wrapped up in Pujos Trout Upton and Rendon next year? ”
Maybe if you and I both repeat it again it’ll sink in and seem more insurmountable.
“AND you wanna squeeze a (Hofer) Simmons (by your accord) for less than 20 mill (of cource b/c thats what HOfers in their prime get) ”
I guess I can repeat that it’s way to early to call him a potential HOF-er, but that he is off to an impressive start,
“And we are suppose to sit here and believe your day dream of fitting in paying the rest of all your arb players, some Tor arms , some depth piece arms, spend a little in the pen,”
Ha! “we.” Believe whatever you like, sitting wherever feels comfortable.
“Its nutz my man, your going to have a bottom 10 staff entering 2021 just like you will this year in 2020 and just like you did the year before in 2019 and so on and so forth….its literally almost your guys calling card now”
Okay.
At this point the Angels have to explore an extension for Simmons. SS prospects are in their teens in the Angels organization and they’ve sent a message that they are in it to win it after the Rendon signing. He will be difficult to replace defensively. Having him hit 8 or 9-hole is something you can live with.
I think Simmons will be an elite defender (the quality that matters most in a SS) for at least another three or four years. His focus and situational awareness are off the charts. He’s the defensive leader and teacher out on the field. He also is humble and doesn’t clash with other elite players. Definitely a candidate for an extension, IMHO.
I’ll trade you Newcomb straight up
for haloshane!
If the Angels aren’t in a legit position to get playoff spot at the deadline, he needs to be traded and would probably net a good return. Angels have an overload in the infield and could easily put Fletcher there.
Once again, save money where you can and have room to sign the real priority in 2021, pitching.
Heck, even if they are playing well it might be better to trade him, especially if Jo is playing well in RF by that time.
seems to me he is perhaps the best defending ss for halos in my lifetime anyway. mid 70s to now that is. I’ll take him over any other option. he such a high player iq for that position. I say 4 more years. pay the guy.
To everyone saying Andrelton has no chance at the hall, I’d love to make a wager on it. If he produces even 70% of the value he has thus far over another 7 seasons, he’ll be a 70WAR player w literally an hour long defensive highlight reel for young fans and old HOF voters alike to ogle over. I not only believe he’s 100% en route to the Hall, I think he’s far better than Ozzie. Ozzie played in a time when dudes were hitting the ball at him on average 80ish mph. Simmons is defending juiced balls coming at him via freak athletes at 110+mph sometimes. Ozzie played in a far weaker offensive league, so his numbers look better in comparison, but also his god level defense was far easier to muster than it is for Simmons. I’m willing to bet the hardest hits Ozzie saw coming towards him in his career are routine for Simmons today. So not only are Simmons’s defensive metrics on par w Ozzie, I’d say they’re actually far better bc it’s vs beast athletes. Yea I know this stuff is averaged out for specific seasons but most of that isn’t as quantifiable as you’d think
Can he do a backflip though to start inns? Thats why Ozzie is in the Hall
Please consider this video over Simmons’ HOF candidacy:
youtube.com/watch?v=SXvrppeIIes
Shortstops go downhill in their 30’s, yup just like Ozzie and Cal and the Captain did. The elite do not play a long time with diminishing skills and Simmons is certainly “elite”.. Field awareness like his is difficult to find in players. Asking a loser like Eppler to reconize that Fletcher should start at 2b and that the team should resign Simmons is beyond his comprehenion imho. There are those who think that Simmons is easily replaced, you sometimes don’t know what you have until it’s gone applies here.. Simba shouls remain an Angel.
Be a whole lot easier if you didnt have Pujos Rendon Trout Upton signed for more than 21 teams total payroll next year
Agree that Fletcher should be at 2B. Great defensive player. He finds a way to help the team every night – offense, defense, base running… Flys under the radar because he’s not super athletic. But he is a winner.
This SS is a generational talent at SS. yes he hacks at the plate but yes he is becoming a better hitter. If you hear what baseball theologians say about him perhaps your own opinion would be higher? I have seen what he can do and in my mind he will have a case for hof
The gamble is his legs. If a team thinks he can sustain the level of range Simmons has, offer that 5 year deal. The legs go first.
The other option is if you are a team with a can’t-miss SS in A or AA, you sign Simmons and have him play SS until he cannot reach balls he once could. Then slide him to 3B a-la Ripken. Simmons has the glove and arm to easily handle that position. But, he’s probably the best defensive SS I’ve ever seen, even better than Ozzie.
5/100