Could Andrelton Simmons Return to Atlanta Braves in 2021
With former Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons set to become a free agent next offseason, could we see him make his return?
Even if there is not a season in 2020 (and let’s hope that’s not the case) service time remains the same for players, meaning players like Marcell Ozuna and Cole Hamels for the Atlanta Braves will be free agents again next offseason whether they play an inning for the Braves or not in 2020.
With those two players I just mentioned, along with a few others, the Braves should have a good amount of money to spend next offseason; although, that number could be hurt a bit considering the lack of revenue the team will be getting this year with no home games (most likely).
One free agent name that intrigues me the most right now is Andrelton Simmons.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love Dansby Swanson and still believe he can be a great player and leader for the Braves.
But with Simba you can’t help but wonder what could have been had he stayed with the Braves.
If you read a lot of my articles then you know how much I love defense. Ozzie Smith was my favorite player growing up and I get much more enjoyment watching a team turn a double-play than seeing a home run.
So when the Braves traded perhaps one of the best defensive players the game has ever seen, you can imagine how heartbroken I was.
That hasn’t kept me from watching my favorite player in the game today, but is it hard staying up late to watch him and Mike Trout on the Westcoast.
As far as him coming back to Atlanta, it doesn’t seem very possible right now. Swanson is still just 26 years old and has two years of control left after this year. The Braves would have to just completely give up on him in order to move on to Simmons.
And while I love Simba, he’ll turn 31 this year and always seems to be dealing with a nagging injury. Last year he played in just 103 games.
I’m not sure it’s in the best interest of the Braves to sign an aging shortstop whose best quality is his defense — even if that quality of defense is possibly the best of all-time.
What I would love to happen is see Simba come back as a bench player who starts a few times a week and comes into games late as a defensive replacement. But I don’t think he’s at that point in his career yet.
There will likely be several teams out there willing to give him a three-year deal to be their starting shortstop.
I guess more than anything I just wish we would have kept Simba in the first place so I could have seen more of him during his prime.
Hopefully Simba does get a good deal in the offseason with a team that is a contender. And hopefully he has plenty of great defensive years left to come.