That Simmons Trade is Looking Pretty Good

[Angel Oracle]

Newcomb and Ellis have stagnated big time.   Neither can throw a strike, and Ellis was abominable in AAA.

[DCAngelsFan]

Eh, I have no problem saying I didn't like the trade at the time - in a vacuum, it was a good trade.

But considering it addressed none of our actual needs at the time (2b, LF, etc) and, especially,  considering the lack of pitching depth in the pipeline to fill out our rotation in the coming years, I thought it just wasn't the right move for us at that point in time.

I think the jury's still out - Newcomb finished the season strong - he's young, has plus stuff, lots of strikeouts, and improving control - we may yet regret this trade.

[eaterfan]

1 hour ago, DCAngelsFan said:

Eh, I have no problem saying I didn't like the trade at the time - in a vacuum, it was a good trade.

But considering it addressed none of our actual needs at the time (2b, LF, etc) and, especially,  considering the lack of pitching depth in the pipeline to fill out our rotation in the coming years, I thought it just wasn't the right move for us at that point in time.

I think the jury's still out - Newcomb finished the season strong - he's young, has plus stuff, lots of strikeouts, and improving control - we may yet regret this trade.

How is the pitching situation any worse than the SS situation? 

Would people have been happier with this trade if they made the exact same move right now? Aybar was pretty clearly done and do we even have a SS in the minor leagues?

[Inside Pitch]

3 hours ago, DCAngelsFan said:

 

I think the jury's still out - Newcomb finished the season strong - he's young, has plus stuff, lots of strikeouts, and improving control - we may yet regret this trade.

His BB/9 this year was 4.6...  for his career it's 4.7 -- it was over 5.0 for most of the season in AA.   The control issues are still there.

I like Newcomb, I think he's going to have a MLB career -- but finishing strong doesn't mean what you think in this case.  He was getting trucked in AA through the end of July -- it wasn't until teams started promoting guys to make room for the recent draftees that he started to pitch well again.  So while he did finish the season on a definite upswing he was facing a lot more guys who had just been moved up from A ball.  I fully agree he's got the stuff and he is one of those guys that could put it all together but there is some risk in waiting for that to happen.

For me this trade was about trading 6 years of Newcomb's potential value for 5 years of Simmons' established value.   

[totdprods]

Gotta say, I really think Simmons is taking a legitimate step forward with his development. I think the best is yet to come. His presence feels greater than it did at the start of the year. Living in Texas, I'm blacked out of Rangers games, so I've had to rely on highlights until I can watch the game the next day, but Simmons seems to be in the middle of everything. Defensively and offensively. If he isn't making the play, he's backing them up or firing off strategic relays and cut-offs. He's stealing bases and seems to be a heads-up baserunner. And it seems like every highlight I watch offensively, he's on base and scoring or slapping a hit to drive in a run. Even reading about the 'drama' of the series and his comments, he seems like he's garnered something of a leadership role in the clubhouse too. He's multilingual and comes off fairly eloquent and intelligent. 

I thought the trade was worth it for his elite defense alone, but figured that'd be his only real asset. It's starting to look like there is potential for a lot more.

[arch stanton]

He's gotten a large dose of his offensive education at the ML level. It shouldn't be a stretch to think someone with that type of hand-eye coordination and baseball instincts can evolve into a solid contributor with the bat and on the bases.

[Dick B Back]

On September 17, 2016 at 0:06 PM, Blarg said:

Lou and I liked the trade and really,  that is all that matters. 

I agree

[Slegnaac]

Outstanding defense tonight.  Has to be an SC Top 10 highlight with the tag at 3B.

[Billy_Ball]

Unfortunately it didn't make the Top 10. #Eastcoastbias

[bloodbrother]

I'll eat crow on this. I had no issue with the player but rather the cost....which is now starting to not look like much of anything. At the time, I wasn't thrilled they gave away their best prospect for a player with a weak bat when the offense was abysmal. Deal was clearly meant for the long-term without thinking too much on 2016, which was obviously the smart way to go about things from the FO. Simmons hit for average last season, though he didn't display much of any power, speed, or draw walks at a great rate. Still though, with his defensive ability, if he can continue to hit .280 or better, then anything else in the power/speed department is really a bonus. A .280+ hitting SS with his defensive ability is easily a 4-5 WAR player. Only 5 everyday SS had a 4+ WAR last season

[Troll Daddy]

On 9/17/2016 at 10:12 PM, CALZONE said:

Chuck didn't like the trade.

Seriously, what does Chuck know lol

[Ohtaniland]

1 hour ago, Troll Daddy said:

Seriously, what does Chuck know lol

Seriously, does Chuck even like baseball? lol

[DMVol]

I'd still like to have Newcomb but Simmons is so good defensively and improving offensively that you have to love the trade now....The crow is fine...By the way, I hated the Santiago trade too...More crow....I guess if Meyer is a bust it could still be a push...but I'd rather have Nolasco, with or without Meyer...

[totdprods]

Nolasco's stint with the Halos last year is looking less like a fluke. He hasn't been quite as dominant in his two starts this year, but he hasn't looked nearly as awful as he did with Minnesota. He's still been very effective, and if he can remain at this 6IP sub-4.00 ERA pitcher, that's a huge win of a deal. 

Simmons has been fantastic. Braves only remnant is Newcomb and he hasn't really shown any advancement in a couple seasons now.

[Docwaukee]

thought we gave up way too much at the time.  Actually always thought Simmons bat had the chance to get better.  Thought both Newcomb and Ellis would be in a major league rotation by now.  

Billy and his staff have been good at gauging whether the market is valuing a player more than they do.  Newcomb, Ellis, Gott, Alcantara, McGowin, Adams, Bandy, Santiago.  

All but one a pitcher with control issues.  It wouldn't surprise me to see Adams become the most consistent major leaguer out of all of them.  

[AngelsLakersFan]

Simmons getting a big fly early this year! Great sign.

[Second Base]

I'm going to enjoy eating crow on this one. Fantastic work Eppler. You don't dream on Richards-Heaney-Newcomb like it's a guarantee. Guys get injured, don't develop properly, it's a lotto ticket. But Andrelton Simmons, that's a guarantee of a game changer. If you can acquire that talent, you do it.

[ettin]

" Today I am even more enthused about the trade in terms of what Simmons brings to the team defensively. Additionally I think he will have even more value moving forward whenever I get around to continue working on my Primer which, as usual, is like the length of War & Peace and I'm only 20% of the way through typing it. I'm so f*ck*ng wordy jesus I need to self-edit."

I was right about two things in that thread.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

I was on board from the beginning. There was no questioning that Simmons was an elite defender, and a run saved is a run that you don't have to score. His offensive production has been a bonus, more than we had any expectation of.

[GrittyVeterans]

Amazing trade by Eppler. Simmons is the best defensive infielder in the world and is not a bad hitter despite what some think.

[Lou]

On 11/12/2015 at 3:45 PM, Quinlanforthewin said:

This is ****ing stupid

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:47 PM, nando714 said:

FLEECED

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:47 PM, nando714 said:

John Hart when in dry on eppler

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:49 PM, Sherlock31 said:

Who hired this Eppler retard guy.......

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:50 PM, Glen said:

What a horrible trade. Holy shit.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:50 PM, Adam said:

It wasn't Hart

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:51 PM, nando714 said:

Whoever it was bent eppler over

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:57 PM, DMVol said:

Bent the new GM over and had their way...Wow....

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:57 PM, Adam said:

Value-wise, before hindsight, I think this is the worst trade in the history of the Franchise. 

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:58 PM, Troll Daddy said:

Somewhere in this thread ... I could of sworn I heard Dipoto laughing out loud.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 3:58 PM, SoWhat said:

Sooooooo...who's gonna be the one to start the first fire Eppler thread?

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:02 PM, Mark68 said:

I miss Dipoto.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:02 PM, FabulousFabregas said:

Awful.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:04 PM, UndertheHalo said:

****ing disaster.  What on earth is happening right now.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:08 PM, Frieri Meatball said:

I think im gonna throw up! Trading Newcomb is a huge mistake! Wow

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:11 PM, Chuckster70 said:

This makes no F'n sense.   Trade your top prospect for a marginal player?!?!?!?

Someone tell me what I'm missing on Simmons. In another thread I said trade Aybar, Ellis, Alacantara and Baldoquin for him. 

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:13 PM, #CF8 said:

Potentially worst trade in Angels history.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:14 PM, Angelsjunky said:

WOW. Totally crappy. Newcomb is going to be awesome. WTF, Eppler? I loved this is it was Aybar, Ellis, and any other prospect - but you traded away the one really good prospect the Angels have.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:15 PM, AngelsFaninGA said:

As someone who's followed Simmons since the moment he came up, the guy is a barely replacement level hitter. How good can someone's defense possibly be to justify such a gross overpayment? 

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:28 PM, bloodbrother said:

So pretty much the team gave up their top 2 prospects just to secure having another Aybar(minus the SB's) for the next 5 years

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:31 PM, ten ocho recon scout said:

This is...unwordably retarded.

The new guy who asked "would you do this, i heard a rumor" was basically laughed at..but now i think he was really eppler

Maybe this is to make kubitza more comfortable at 3rd?...

In less than a year we went from a GM who traded for young guys...to one who wouldnt trade for anyone...to one who trades anyone

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:34 PM, aznhockeyguy said:

**** you Eppler. 

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:35 PM, greginpsca said:

Absolutely stupid to give up Newcomb. Ellis i can see. Eppler got friggen HOSED!!!!! This org is stupid!!

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:37 PM, Dreams said:

Eppler's first Halos trade?  Tony Reagins-esque.  Horrible, just horrible.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:41 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Holly **** this is the worst ****ing trade. Scioscia had to have a hand in this.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:52 PM, Dochalo said:

I'm at Disneyland and just heard.

I am utterly speechless and not in a good way.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:57 PM, Hollyw00d said:

What a horrible ****ing trade

 

On 11/12/2015 at 4:59 PM, Hollyw00d said:

**** this team

 

On 11/12/2015 at 5:07 PM, Rosewood said:

Angels fans getting bent over and cornholed with this deal.  I really am starting to fuhking hate this organization.

Los Angeles Cornjulios of Anaheim.

 

On 11/12/2015 at 5:24 PM, floplag said:

What the serious F#@&   ?!?!?!?!?!!?
We gave up our top prospect in a move that made the offense worse?  plus gave Ellis to for what?  AND sent cash?    We just got molested and paid for the process. 
We got fleeced.... Atl is laughing at us right now, this was horrific 

I dont hate Simmons but this is a terrible trade for us that address nothing we need and gave up our best possible chip... this is called hot stove season premature ejaculation  

 

On 11/12/2015 at 5:35 PM, Hollyw00d said:

You know a trade is crap when the nuthuggers are trying to justify by listing several moves that haven't even happened yet (signing heyward, price, etc)

 

On 11/12/2015 at 5:55 PM, fan_since79 said:

If it had just been Aybar, Ellis, and another prospect-not-named-Newcomb, I would have been OK with this.

 

As it is, we got taken in a big way.

 

On 11/13/2015 at 9:36 AM, seenoevil said:

I want Jerry back

 

[Lou]

. . . and that was just a little trip down memory lane, folks.

[NrM]

I stand by my comments! i aint no pussy! I could explain why, but I'm lazy.

 

[Lou]

;Ha. Yeah, i could have added in so many more, too.

I loved it. Even called Simmons a freak.

i sure did

[UndertheHalo]

yea i was wrong.  happens often enough haha.  To be fair to myself tho, I settled down after the initial news on the trade and didn't hate it so much by the end of that day.  Even got around to liking it before the end of the winter meetings !