Turning Simmons defense into offense

[bloodbrother]

Good read

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/story/andrelton-simmons-trade-los-angeles-angels-atlanta-braves-defense-offense-hot-stove-111315

 

 

This says nothing about any potential Simmons offensive upside. He's shown power before, he doesn't strike out, and he's just 26. He could still develop more on that front, and last year he took a step forward in hitting the other way. Some people will point out that Simmons' defense will only decline, and they're right, but that decline is going to be gradual. And Omar Vizquel showed you can remain a quality defensive shortstop almost forever. You know who people just fell in love with last month? Alcides Escobar. Escobar is a worse offensive shortstop than Simmons, and Escobar is a worse defensive shortstop than Simmons. The Royals still love him. The Angels will love their guy.

 

[ettin]

Sullivan makes a very valid point about why we shouldn't be terribly concerned about his offense. Simmons ability to convert would be hits to outs is just as valuable a skill as being able to hit singles.

[tomsred]

In my opinion, the offensive risk with Simmons is that's he is coming from the National League to the American League, and from a non contending team to a contender.  He will not be as familiar with the pitching to start with, and he will feel more pressure to perform with a contender.  That could regress his hitting to some degree.  I totally support the notion that defense regresses very slowly as players age.  The much bigger risk is the offense, and injuries.  Here's a perfect example - Albert Pujols.

[Pujols4MVP]

Pulling the ball when playing road games in Miami, NY, DC often turn into outs. The ball just dies in Miami.

That won't happen in Arlington or Houston. Oakland/Seattle favor pitchers but not as bad as NY or Miami.

Edited November 13, 2015 by MikeScioscia4MVP

[Hollyw00d]

The fact he conveniently left out is alcides Escobar makes less than a third of what Simmons does, salary wise

[Blarg]

Simmons has a better agent.

[Blarg]

The article really missed the boat in that Simmons offense is really predicated by runs saved by his defense. A run saved is often more important that a base hit earned by your bottom of the order bats.

[Jobu]

and he will feel more pressure to perform with a contender

Braves have had more playoff appearances in the last 6 seasons than the Angels. Or even since Simmons came up.

And Simmons has had 4 more playoff plate appearances than Mike Trout.

Edited November 13, 2015 by Jobu

[Angel Oracle]

He's reportedly a leader type on the field.    Somehow, I imagine that post-season race pressure won't get to him. 

[seenoevil]

In my opinion, the offensive risk with Simmons is that's he is coming from the National League to the American League, and from a non contending team to a contender. He will not be as familiar with the pitching to start with, and he will feel more pressure to perform with a contender. That could regress his hitting to some degree. I totally support the notion that defense regresses very slowly as players age. The much bigger risk is the offense, and injuries. Here's a perfect example - Albert Pujols.

angels haven't won a playoff game since 09 , they aren't perennial contenders

[nikkachez]

Hell, if he can hit .260-.270 with a .320-.330 OBP, I don't really care about what we gave up lol

[Lou]

angels haven't won a playoff game since 09 , they aren't perennial contenders

He didn't say perennial.

[UndertheHalo]

the more i read about Simmons the more pleased I am to have him on the team.  Im excited to see what he can do for the Angels.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Hell, if he can hit .260-.270 with a .320-.330 OBP, I don't really care about what we gave up lol

agreed...the question is can he?

[tomsred]

agreed...the question is can he?

 

I think it's worth the risk to find out.  There are no guarantees in baseball, we could sign Heyward and he could regress to something that doesn't contribute.  I like this move because it does try a different approach.  I'm totally in agreement with Notti, lower orders hitter that are elite defenders can be very effective weapons if they strongly contribute to runs saved.

[QuinlansMinion]

You guys do realize having this monster defensive SS wont mean jack shit if our 2B is completely inept defensively?  

 

Not to mention, how many amazing Simmons throws is Cron going to boot over there at 1st base?  Pujols going to DH hurts the team defensively.  

[tomsred]

You guys do realize having this monster defensive SS wont mean jack shit if our 2B is completely inept defensively?  

 

Not to mention, how many amazing Simmons throws is Cron going to boot over there at 1st base?  Pujols going to DH hurts the team defensively.  

 

Let's construct the new team first, then worry where the weaknesses fall.  None of the current big five have been addressed yet (LF, 3B, 2B, Relief Pitching, Bench), mainly because the free agent market is still forming.  We probably have the capacity to make one more trade using our pitching assets. 

 

More than second base, I wonder how this trade changes the pursuit of Freeze, i.e. is it better to let Kubitza and Cowert compete for third because they are better defenders, and hope they can adjust to hitting in the bigs?  Not signing Freeze gives us a better chance of upgrading 2B financially.

[Second Base]

Translation: He's an above average player. 

[eaterfan]

The nice thing about Simmons being a defensive player is that it should help shore up the BP a little bit. If Simmons gets 25 more ours than Aybar would then that's 25 batters deeper our starters can go into games or more batters our top end relievers can go instead of having to go deeper into the pen.

[ScottT]

Translation: He's an above average player. 

 

I think that is underselling him.  He had the 3rd highest WAR among MLB shortstops last season. 

[Inside Pitch]

The fact he conveniently left out is alcides Escobar makes less than a third of what Simmons does, salary wise

 

If only your statement was actually a fact.

 

Escobar is slated to make 5.250 Mil in 2016 -- Simmons, 6.0 Mil.   Escobar will make 6.25 Mil in 17, Simmons' 8 Mil.    Both players made 3.0 Mil in 2014.  But let's not let "facts" get in the way of your storytelling.  

 

Escobar won't play for free in 2018, 19 or 20 and that's the only way your statement would ring true.

Nice attempted spin though...  

Edited November 14, 2015 by Inside Pitch