BOCA RATON, Fla. – As Braves general manager John Coppolella left the general managers’ meetings Thursday morning, the baseball world was abuzz with the prospect of him expanding his activities as an aggressive wheeler and dealer into exchanging Andrelton Simmons.
It remains to be seen whether Simmons ends up being the next big piece Atlanta trades. But the Braves recognize that the talented shortstop remains one of the few remaining pieces that could provide a meaningful return.
Coppolella did not specifically address the rumors surrounding Simmons. But he acknowledged that Atlanta is at a point in its rebuilding process where the franchise must evaluate all trade possibilities that could positively impact the club’s future for many years to come.
“We’re an organization that lost (95) games,” Coppolella said in reference to last season’s 67-95 record. “We have to be open to anything that makes us better. For us, we’re not looking to trade any of our players. But I think when you look at some of the teams that have been to the playoffs and the World Series, you’ll see the benefits they gained from their difficult deals a few years ago.
The Royals probably wouldn’t have won this year’s World Series if they hadn’t used Zack Greinke acquire Lorenzo Cain And Alcides Escobar in 2010. The Mets also probably wouldn’t have won the National League pennant if they hadn’t sold high on R. A. Dickey after the 2012 season and won both Noah Syndergaard And Travis d’Arnaud in return.
“We need to be aware that there might be opportunities that we weren’t aware of,” Coppolella said. “The more we can explore and leave no stone unturned, the better positioned the Braves organization will be moving forward.”
The Padres and at least one other NL West club inquired about Simmons earlier this week. Once the news broke Wednesday night, a few other teams contacted the Braves about Simmons’ availability.
The Braves have made it clear they will not trade Simmons unless they get a significant return.
Over the past year, the Braves have used Jason Heyward, Justin Upton And Evan Gattis to strengthen their agricultural system and obtain many launch prospects. Simons, Freddie Freeman And Julio Tehran are now Atlanta’s only Major League-ready trade pieces that could generate a significant return.
But the Braves have never indicated they were willing to trade Freeman, and they would likely sell low on Tehran at this point. So, Simmons is the most likely member of this trio that could be moved at some point this offseason.
Simmons was named Wilson Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday night, and earlier this week, Coppolella called the 26-year-old shortstop “the greatest defensive player in the history of the game.” Since the start of the 2013 season, Simmons has a Major League-leading 94 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). Former Braves right fielder Heyward ranks second with 69. Zack Cozart and that of San Francisco Brandon Crawford are tied for second among NL shortstops during that span with 30.
While Simmons’ offensive potential remains questionable, there is no doubt that he provides enough value with his glove to entice a team to make a solid offer to Atlanta.
The Braves will just have to figure out how much it will actually take to be persuaded to move the popular shortstop.
