Los Angeles Angels: Andrelton Simmons wants extension
By David Hill
With Mike Trout set to be a member of the Los Angeles Angels for the foreseeable future, another player is looking for a long term deal.
The Los Angeles Angels are in the process of locking in their core for the long term. Mike Trout will be a member of the franchise through 2030, signing a lifetime extension with the Angels. Shohei Ohtani is under team control until the middle of the coming decade, and it would not be a surprise if he was to receive an extension as well. If they can build up the farm system, and find the pitching they need, the Angels could have an interesting team for years to come.
Another member of that current roster also wants to be a part of that future. Andrelton Simmons, the brilliant defensive shortstop, has made it known that he wants to remain with the Angels, and is looking for an extension of his own.
Andrelton Simmons, whose contract expires after 2020, expressed that he would like to be a part of what the Angels are doing long-term.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 19, 2019
As Simmons would be 30 years old when his current contract is set to expire, an extension would not be an entirely unreasonable idea. His offensive game, geared towards his incredible contact rate, should age reasonably well. Likewise, even if Simmons loses a step defensively, he should still be amongst the best shortstops in the game.
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Although he is regarded as a defense first shortstop, Simmons has developed into a decent player with the bat. Over his past two seasons, he has produced a .285/.334/.419 batting line, with 64 doubles, 25 homers, and 29 steals. His OPS+ of 105 over that time is certainly respectable, and he has increased that production every year since 2014.
Even with that production, Simmons’ greatest asset is easily his defense. A four time Gold Glove winner, Simmons, in just seven seasons, is the active leader with 25.3 dWAR, and is tied for 17th all time. In fact, he is the only player in the top 50 in defensive WAR to play in fewer than 13 seasons in the majors.
His defensive value goes beyond his dWAR rating. Simmons has saved 97 runs at short over his career, the ninth most in MLB history, and only trailing Troy Tulowitzki amongst active players. The Angels have another generational player on their roster in Simmons, albeit with the glove instead of the bat.
dark. Next. Trout an Angel for life
Andrelton Simmons wants to be a part of the Los Angeles Angels future. It may be a smart move to make sure that he is.