MLB free agency: 3 landing spots for Andrelton Simmons

MLB free agency: Philadelphia Phillies have needs

The Philadelphia Phillies declined to make a qualifying offer to Didi Gregorius at the beginning of MLB free agency. They do have two internal options, Jean Segura and Scott Kingery, to play short if needed, but they would prefer to play them elsewhere.

Andrelton Simmons is a strong external option for the Phillies because he immediately improves their defense. If he moved back to the National League, he would have a strong chance to win a fifth career Gold Glove.

There have been rumbles that Gregorius could be brought back, but if that doesn’t materialize, the Phillies need to try to land Simmons. As good as he is defensively, he has potential to be a solid hitter. He has been very inconsistent at the plate throughout his career, but has shown he can contribute at the bottom of the lineup.

The last season he won a Gold Glove award, 2018, was arguably his best at the plate, batting .292 through 146 games with a .754 OPS.

The Phillies have decent shortstop prospects, but they are a few years away. They need a short-term option to play the position for the next few seasons. Signing Simmons to a two-year contract would be a smart investment for Philadelphia.