Chicago Cubs: Does Andrelton Simmons’ deal mean no Carlos Correa?

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report that the Chicago Cubs were coming to close a deal to sign free agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the deal is for one year and $4 million.

Simmons, 32, is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game but he has struggled for most of his career with the bat but more so in the last few years.

In theory, you might think that this precludes the Chicago Cubs from signing a bigger name shortstop on the free agent market, like Carlos Correa … but it doesn’t.

The Chicago Cubs have signed Andrelton Simmons but still could sign Carlos Correa

Andrelton Simmons has never played another position in his 10 seasons in the major leagues but according to Ken Rosenthal, the Chicago Cubs could still go after Carlos Correa after signing Simmons.

Simmons had 15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) for the Minnesota Twins in 2021 and he has always been a great defender. He has won four Gold Glove Awards and won a Platinum Glove as well. In his 10 year career, he has an excellent 124 Defensive Runs Saved, or just over 12 per season.

Most famously, he came in 8th in AL MVP voting in 2017 while he was with the Los Angeles Angels because his defense was so good. He had a decent offensive year (102 OPS+) but he had 41(!) Defensive Runs Saved, which amounted to a 7.9 WAR. But in 2021, Simmons only had an OPS+ of 57 in 131 games.

As for Correa, he was an All-Star, came in 5th in AL MVP voting, and won the AL Gold Glove Award at shortstop. He had an OPS+ of 131 so, at this point in his career, he is a far superior player to Simmons.

However, one of them could easily move to third or second base. Currently, Simmons would be flanked by Patrick Wisdom at third and Nick Madrigal at second. Wisdom would be the likely player to move, as he can play first base and left field as well. Frank Schwindel and Ian Happ are currently at the top of the depth chart there but Happ could also move to center, where Rafael Ortega is.

Considering that the Cubs spent money on Marcus Stroman right before the lockout, it’s very conceivable that they will spend more money to make their team better in 2022 and 2023 so Correa could very easily be a Cub in the near future.