Andrelton Simmons is now officially a Los Angeles Angels' shortstop while shortstop Erick Aybar, prospect left-hander Sean Newcomb, and prospect right-hander Chris Ellis have been traded to the Atlanta Braves.
It is a success for the Angels to receive Simmons from the trade they made with the Braves. As reported by SB Nation, Simmons was named as the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year in all of baseball on Nov. 11, Wednesday. He still has 5 years and $53 million left on a contract extension that he signed with the Atlanta Braves in February last year.
Simmons may not have a good record in hit but he made a big impact on defense, according to the sports site. He led major league shortstops with 25 Defensive Runs Save this year, and a total 113 DRS since he started his major league career, the most in the majors at the time.
It is going to be something big for the Atlanta Braves as well since the team will be receiving Aybar, Ellis, Newcomb and $2.5 million to offset some of Aybar's salary.
According to NBC Sports, Newcomb, 22, is the centerpiece of the deal for the Atlanta Braves. He was at the 14th place in last year's draft. He posted a 2.85 ERA over 27 starts this season between Double-A Arkansas, High-A Inland Empire and Class-A Burlington. He issued 76 walks and struck out 168 batters in 136 innings.
Ellis, 23, was a third rounder from 2014. He has a record of 3.90 ERA and 132/63 K/B ratio over 140 2/3 innings this year between Double-A Arkansas and High-A Inland Empire.
Aybar, on the other hand, is not really a good fit when it comes to rebuilding the Atlanta Braves, but he is due to become a free agent after 2016. The team will now be able to ship him anywhere for more prospects, if they want to. Shortstop-needy teams like the San Diego Padres and the New Yorks Mets may need him in the near future.
