The Atlanta Braves seemed to bottom out last season when they traded closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Jason Heyward. The young core seemed set and there for the long term. But alas, the Braves made another trade today. This one is incredibly surprising.
Andrelton Simmons has been dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, MLB.com according to reporter Jesse Sanchez:
Source: Andrelton Simmons has been traded to the Angels. #Braves
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) November 12, 2015
More details have emerged since Sanchez's original report.
Going back to Atlanta in the trade is Angels shortstop Erick Aybar (a very underrated, good player) and two pitching prospects, Chris Ellis and Sean Newcomb, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported. The Braves get $3 million towards Aybar's salary, too.
Simmons is less than 24 hours away from winning the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award:
.@Andrelton: 2015 overall Wilson Defensive Player of the Year, obviously. https://t.co/9ap8YiPJEe
— MLB (@MLB) November 12, 2015
Aybar won a gold glove back in 2011, but is now 31 years old.
The Braves have a shortstop top prospect in Ozzie Albies, who only played in Low-A in 2015. Aybar is certainly a decent enough stopgap, but the news is surprising given that the Braves just locked Simmons up to a seven-year deal prior to 2014. However, then-GM Frank Wren has been fired and John Hart has been in full rebuild mode.
This probably will not be the Braves' last trade, so stay tuned.
