The Blue Jays looked into acquiring Andrelton Simmons prior to the August 31 trade deadline, and now that the shortstop is a free agent, veteran reporter Bob Elliott tweets that Toronto is again interested in Simmons’ services.
Simmons ended up playing in only 30 games in 2020, as he spent time on the injured list with a sprained ankle and also opted out of the season on September 22. Over the small sample size of 127 plate appearances, Simmons hit pretty well (.297/.346/.356, 99 wRC+ and 95 OPS+), and the Jays or any team would happily take that sort of league-average offense in combination with Simmons’ usual excellent defense. It’s worth noting that 2020 was by far the worst defensive season of Simmons’ career, though it’s fair to assume that his bad ankle contributed to his -1 Outs Above Average, -2 Defensive Runs Saved and +4.0 UZR/150.
That said, Simmons was also bothered by ankle problems in 2019, and has played in only 133 of a possible 222 games over the last two seasons. In ranking Simmons 17th on our list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents, MLBTR projected that the 31-year-old Simmons might have to take just a one-year contract this winter, as teams will be wary of making multi-year offers given his recent injury history and any potential questions about his glovework going forward.
A one-year deal would certainly seem to fit the Blue Jays’ plans, as the team still considers Bo Bichette to be its shortstop of the future but a short-term defensive upgrade is still very much a need. Signing Simmons would indirectly fix the Jays’ need at third base, since Bichette or Cavan Biggio could play the hot corner while the other plays second base. Simmons doesn’t have the offensive upside of other rumored Jays shortstop targets as Francisco Lindor or Didi Gregorius, but he might have the lowest price tag — Gregorius is surely looking for a multi-year contract after taking a one-year deal with the Phillies last winter, while the Jays would have to pay a hefty trade return to pry Lindor away from the Indians.
I wouldn’t move Bichette off of shortstop for just a one-year deal. If you’re going to move him, it needs to be for a multi-year deal. If they don’t want to give that to Simmons, then he’s probably not a good fit.
I agree. Hard to see moving off of shortstop and surrendering all those reps for even one year would be anything but a disservice to Bichette if TOR really did want him to eventually stick at SS.
I dunno, disagree.
Simmons is a perfect band-aid solution for most of the Blue Jays problems and will come cheap, and at no prospect cost.
He never strikes out, racks up singles, and is ofc one of the best defenders at run-prevention. These were weaknesses for the Jays.
I’d grab the player, and worry about how everything fits later.
Heck, make a plan to DH Bo 2x a week, have him focus on being the best hitter in the Jays’ lineup every day, putting together 4 consistent ABs a night.
Bo can still start 20-30% of the games at SS.
Simmons doesn’t have to start every single game. And you bring him in as a D replacement for the later innings in place of your weakest defender. Can he play 3rd??
I mean, if you’re okay with playing Simmons some at 3rd, this solves a lot of problems.
Heck, giving Bo experience at some different positions might not be bad for his development either. Can improve his arm from playing/practicing at 3rd. And I’m sure 2nd base might help with his double-plays.
I think Bo’s the kind of guy that would love the challenge of playing different positions, and playing them well.
Anyways, I think it’s a good problem to have.
And like I said, it lengthens the lineup, adds hits, and makes that infield defence very tough.
Perfect add. The more I look at it, the more I like it. Gives the team versatility and improves everything.
(Plus, don’t tell me that Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette won’t learn something from the best defensive Shortstop of the last decade.)
Isn’t there 222 possible games between 2019 and 2020?
Yeah, it should be 222 because it was a 60 game season and not 30.
Imagine simmons on the blue jays
Yankees want Simmons also to move Gleyber back to second.
We’ll see. I’ve seen nothing on actual Yankee free agent targets. Do you have a link that connects the Yanks to him in any way?
Thanks in advance.
Personally, I think the Yanks are just going to be opportunistic about how they plug that middle infield opening.
Lots of good players available that would fit.
Including LeMahieu, of course.
Ducky & mlbnyy:
Do you guys posit the Yankees will pursue one of the SS FAs next offseason, and if so, who?
I wouldn’t be surprised if they go after Seager because they need a LH bat in their lineup, although Story-LeMehieu would make a tremendous combo once again.
Thoughts?
Warning: probable incoming cop out answer.
I really do think we have to see how this off-season plays out, though. The two biggest things to be resolved are; will the Yanks bring back DJ?, & how will they fill that need in the keystone if they don’t?
For example.
*If* LeMahieu is retained on a multi year deal then I don’t see that happening. However, if they were to sign Simmons to a one year (maybe 2?) contract then I think the Yanks have an eye on the ’21 market.
Seagar is my pick of the litter too, man.
As for the LHH thing I don’t see that as a very big problem. I’d rather have good hitters than choose guys based upon which batters box they step in.
That being said, it most certainly seems like it’s a Big Deal for the Yankees. I like Hicks, Gardy, & Didi (before them) as players.
What I *don’t* like is *any* of them batting third.
I completely agree. Very cogent answer. I’m curious to see how they proceed.
With the strength of this year’s market being relief pitching & position player depth, how married are you to bringing back DJ?
I’ve been kicking some numbers around. (At RAB it was well known that I’m a super shetty GM, man…so there’s that.)
Anyway;
An 18 mil AAV was predicted for DJ.
Kahnle (released) was 2.7.
Holder ~ 1 mil.
Bringing back Gardy will probably cost another 2 or 3 million.
So that’s ~ 24-25 million.
Seems like the Yankees could add LaStella or Wong to plug second, upgrade Gardy to Joc Pederson, add a couple solid middle relievers (say Watson & Melancon) & probably even upgrade the backup shortstop spot with Galvis for about the same outlay (maybe a little more, but probably not much). Perhaps, the Yanks could even get *something* in return for Holder or Wade.
This is an ideal winter – in my opinion – to spread the free agent money around rather than make one or maybe two larger signings. As much as I’ve loved watching DJ I think getting back to an overengineered bullpen & lineup/bench might be a better strategy (again for *this* off-season) as opposed to trying to completely rebuild the rotation into a strength.
What think?
Yes, I think you’re on the money, quite literally, with rebuilding and expanding depth. There is not one person that can push them over the top this year and as valuable as DJ is (and he is my favorite player right now) I would understand taking that route to provide the alternatives they lacked this season while improving their pitching/defense.
I still am pretty convinced they need a solid starting catcher though. I believe the game calling, framing, and blocking, or lack thereof is killing them. I could be wrong as I usually am however.
I also don’t want another off-season like last. Cole was a fantastic get. But, the Yanks just simply stopped adding after they signed him. This went for the trade deadline this summer, too.
Blech.
Yanks are still a good team. As it stands right now they’re Vegas’ second choice to win the series. I just see a lot of questions & potential soft spots on the roster; middle infield, 4th outfielder, the bridge from starters to end game, no difference makers on the beach.
And – of course – a thin & inexperienced rotation.
That’s a lot of stuff!
I watched my two favorite players leave last year, man. So I get it. That was part of the price of Cole. It made sense. And – to be clear – I’m definitely a LeMahieu fan.
You & I have differing opinions on Sanchez. Which is certainly ok. If we throw starting catcher into the need bucket, however, it becomes a very daunting off-season to do list.
I’ve been seeing some Yankee fans float the idea of McCan lately. I’m not sold on him. Really good chance I’m completely wrong about him though.
I’d rather sign an offensive SS that’s willing to play third (Semien, Ha-Seong Kim). Semien will take 1-year that gives Bo Bichette another year to develop at SS while still having a major league SS in case of another injury to Bo. If you’re still not happy with Bo’s glove work at short after this FULL season then move him to keystone and you have a wide variety of SS to choose from next year from Lindor to Story and Seager.
Hear me out… because I am bored and have nothing better to do than dream..
Jays sign Simmons to a 1 year deal. Bichette to third. Next offseason when Lindor, Seager, Baez, Correa, and Story are all SS free agents they sign one of those. They don’t give up assets to trade for Lindor etc. This offseason rather have a one season fill in with Simmons before signing a big ticket free agent.
Unlikely but I like to dream.
I agree. Sign Simmons for one year and then go after Lindor next year!!!
I would agree, but the Indians will probably trade Linder during this offseason.
I could see the Jays going 2-3 years for Simmons. Strategically it would make sense to secure one of the best defenders in the league to build your young guys around.
But as he ages, and your core comes together, his defense will likely regress. Possibly a lot.
His ankle issues might not improve at Rogers Centre. I guess a 1-yr deal with incentives would be fine.
That or the Blue Jays are attempting to drive up the price on these guys for other teams.
Mr. Guest.
His ankle injuries are always the same. He doesn’t know how to run to first base. Eventually you’d think he’d learn to run through the bag instead of leaping to the bag.
Maybe. Regardless, two ankle injuries in two years and suddenly he’s going to be all-world on the wrong side of 30 in Toronto inside a dome.
The real question is what to do with Bo Bichette. There is 2B and there is CF, a position he was willing to play if the Jays acquired Didi. I think this is a ploy on the Jays side; pretend to be in on everyone and drive the price to open the doors to next year. I’m probably wrong and will admit as such.
Mr. Guest. I’m just saying how the injuries occurred.
As an Angel fan, I loved the guy. I’m not saying the Blue Jays or anyone else should sign him.
I’m just a spectator.
Halo I understand fully. And, watching Simmons over the years, he’s been incredible to watch defensively. As you know from years of watching baseball, the legs always go out first. Very concerning when it comes to position 6 on the diamond.
As a Jays fan I’m curious how they’d shuffle things if they did sign him.
Wait, @halo11.
I don’t see a whole lot of West Coast baseball, man.
So I’m not very familiar with how his injuries have occurred.
Straight up and down, man. Is this hyperbole or have those injuries stemmed from running the bases.
Thanks in advance.
I believe so.
It’s three ankle injuries that I know of, I’m positive two happened at first base, I believe all three happened at first and all three happened the same way. He lunges for the bag.
You would think he’d learn.
Ducky,
I was at the first game (and obviously not at this years game), but that’s exactly how it happened. Lunged for the bag, twisted the ankle
@halo11fan & @cookmeister.
Thank you for the insight. Sounds like a bad habit, man. Also sounds avoidable.
Since MLBTR predicted he’d be signed ro the Yankees I’ve been interested to learn about him. Since you guys seem to be willing to give me your takes on Simmons, I’m also wondering if you have any theories why his defensive numbers slid so far.
Again, thanks in advance.
They already have a shortstop and their outfield is pretty good too
Are they looking to have two Blue Jays teams?
Maybe one in Buffalo and the other in Toronto if it ever opens back up again
Simmons has been a joy to watch the past several years on the Angels. In addition to his highlight reel defensive plays, he made under the radar great plays seemingly every night.
It should be noted that Simmons has hurt his ankle 3 times in the last 2 years. Twice in 2019 and once in 2020. If you have ever rolled your ankle, you know you are more susceptible after the first time.
Simmons to the Jays sounds like a nice fit provided he maintains his range and stays healthy.
Honestly, I would rather us sign LeMahue and have two super utility players in him and Biggio who can line up in multiple positions. You could add Simmons as a utility type as well, but, Espinal could literally play all 4 inf positions as well without the cost. I would like to see us sign LeMahue and Bauer and then a top quality reliever and that would be perfect.
DJ all the way! This lineup with him in it would be insane.
Anyone would rather sign LeMahieu than Simmons if the prices were remotely close.
LeMahieu has it all over Simmons….gold glove fielder and 2 time batting champion……Simmons does play short but unless you have to have a shortstop rather than a gold glove 2nd baseman and/or someone who can play every infield position…..this isn’t even a comparison…..
Ryu gives up a lot of hits to shortstop. It makes sense to have a Gold-Glover there when he starts instead of Bichette.
Alota news comin’ outa Buffalo.
Simmons is a good shortstop. I hear that he is asking big money for multiple years. The Jays don’t need him long term. He is not a difference making at the plate but can do much better than Bo on the field.
I think he is priced out of the Jays need and room.
Who aren’t the Blue Jays interested in?
Agreed man….last year it was the Padres who supposedly had the same “stacked” farm system ripe with young players that were going to vault them to the top…..this year, the same can be said for the Blue Jays.
A guy whose value is entirely bound to his agility, who’s coming off a couple of ankle injuries and now 31 years old and coming off the first season where he was a below average defender. Sounds like a bad bet to me. Pass. Let Bo grow into the role, his defensive numbers were actually better than Simmons in 2020 anyway.
I think there is some value in his bat.
2017 & 2018 were nice years.
Doesn’t strike out a lot. Smart on the bases? Relative to the league it seems that way.
If cheap enough, and willing to serve as 3B/2B on occasion, could be a great fit.
2 starts a week at 2B/3B/SS but mostly insurance if Bo is hurt or really slumps early?
Rather look at others, but those others may rather look elsewhere.
Rather spend on pitching and use Espinal in that role, but if they spend on more pitching, add Simmons, and have Espinal waiting in the wings, then I could get with that.
Rather see Kim, Gregorius, Wong, Lemahieu as infield depth. La Stella. What about Strange-Gordon? 2B/CF option, super cheap I bet.
Best time of year! Dreamin up some storms.
He’s been a below average bat 6 years, just barely above average 3 years. His bat doesn’t kill you, but if he doesn’t remain an elite defender he’s more of a solid utility player.
I mean, if he were cheap I’d take him. He’d make any team better. But I don’t see him being that affordable, he’s more likely to find a team willing to pay him for the guy he used to be (and might or might not manage to be for another couple years).
Using qualified players with OPS+ of 100 as a barrier seems a fair line for average.
Not able to stay on the field is bad.
Not able to hit above 100+ OPS is bad too.
At a quick glance, starting in 2012,
Qualified bats at 100 OPS+ or above:
100, 99, 105, 93, 103, 95, 95, 95, 98
9, 9, 9, 8, 15, 13, 17, 12, 12
Simmons qualified in 5 of those 9 years.
2013 as 122nd overall, 14th SS
2014 as 142nd overall, 20th SS
2015 as 126th overall, 14th SS
2017 as 91st overall, 13th SS
2018 as 78th overall, 11th SS
Generally around 140 batters/25 SS qualify as full time players.
So I certainly consider not qualifying as below average.
Rookie year hard to judge.
2013/2015 were pretty shallow shortstop years so I think the ‘average’ bar was a bit lower there.
8 seasons, 4 below average, 3 average, 1 above average at the plate.
Gold Glove D with an average bat is a major value. 50/50 shot.
I’d take that coin flip considering the Gold Glove potential that comes with it. Solid utility player would be the goal for sure.
Last contract averaged $10-11m but finished at $15m.
He may sign for 1 year $10m considering some teams still hunt for SS help. Various options/bonuses could set teams apart with contracts this year.
Feeling he’ll sign somewhere that will unquestionably use him as the starter to try proving his worth on a multi year deal for 2022.. Reds/A’s?
The BlueJays have also checked in with Lemahieu reps and Semiens as well. That is what they do. Talk to everyone, throw speghetti against the wall and see what sticks.
And Bo is not a long term solution for the Jays at SS. Between his chokes and injury woes he will better suited to 2B.
Theory time…I remember this was the same thing under AA. “Blue Jays have checked in on _____”.
My theory is Rogers floats this rumour to their guys, word is released to the masses, generating a positive buzz for the Blue Jays. Perhaps they want to sell merchandise and some TV subscriptions between now and Christmas.
Ricciardi was in on everyone too? I swear he was.
Good stuff.
Sportsnet needs viewers! November usually carried by hockey and basketball.
Season tickets are sagging I bet!
But this tweet from veteran reporter Bob Elliott? The internet says he retired but he still tweets some things he’s hearing?
What if he found (Rogers/Shapiro/Atkins gave him) a list of top 10 players of interest at each position? Is he the source on some of these other rumours so far? What more can we expect? I’m excited
Clarify something for me Mark…..exactly who aren’t the Blue Jays interested in this offseason?
For a team referred to as “up and coming” they certainly have interest in lots of free agents this offseason……
Postering for a Lindor deal…..
They’re a young team. Just let Bichette grow at short, and pick up a true 3B (if they don’t think a slimmed-down Vlad can move back there). I t doesn’t make sense to displace a developing player/budding superstar while the team is probably another year away from serious title contention.
They should be focused a lot more on pitching.
Agreed on the pitching focus.
Might not be smartest overall decision, but I still think it would be Lindor displaced and used as the insurance policy at SS, much like SD uses Machado so far.
Added flexibility can’t have hurt Machado’s value in free agency, so I think Lindor could be tempted to show off some added versatility?
Expecting Lindor would be professional and accept a shift but why give up assets for an experiment?
Serious title contention is now!
Feels like 2 impact bat/gloves and 2 impact arms away and by the 2021 deadline those additions should be rostered.