(Story Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
 Andrelton Simmons traded to Angels by Braves!
Nederlands
 ATLANTA, Georgia (USA) -
Dutch short stop Andrelton Simmons has been traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The trade was reported by several sources early on Thursday-evening (November 12), after there were rumors earlier in the day, with the New York Mets also being named.
The deal was confirmed by both the Braves and Angels later on Thursday-evening.
The Curaçao-born Simmons is generally acknowledged as the best defensive short stop in the Major League at the moment.
The Braves will get veteran short stop Erick Aybar plus prospect pitchers Sean Newcomb (LHP) and Chris Ellis (RHP).
The Angels, who also will get catching prospect Jose Briceno, also will pay 2.5 million dollar to the Braves.
...Andrelton Simmons playing for the Netherlands National...
...Team on the 2013 World Baseball Classic...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
The 26-year old old Simmons was one of the finalists this year for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award again for best short stop in the National League.
He won the Award in the last two seasons.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the Award this time went to Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants.
On Wednesday, Simmons was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year.
Simmons made his Major League-debut on June 2, 2012 playing for the Atlanta Braves and then went 0-for-3 against the Washington Nationals.
It was the first of 49 games played that season for the Braves.
He batted .289 (48-for-166) with eight doubles, two triples and three homeruns, while scoring 17 runs and batting in 19.
In 2013, he made the 25-man roster of the Braves and played in 157 of the 162 regular season-games.
He batted .248 (150-for-606), including 17 homeruns.
Simmons scored 76 runs and batted in 59.
Since the 2013 season, Simmons has been the regular short stop for the Braves.
He played in 146 games last year and 147 this season.
He batted .244 in 2014 and .265 this year.
In the last two seasons combined, he scored 104 runs and batted in 90.
Simmons became more famous for his defensive qualities.
In his four Major League-seasons, he played in 498 games.
He got 2310 chances to make an out and committed only 39 errors.
Simmons has 1512 assists and made an out himself 759 times.
His career fielding average is .983.
This season, he committed only eight errors in 147 games!
Simmons, who will earn six million dollar next season, twittered: ,,California! I'm exited for this new chapter I'm starting with the Angels organization and meeting all my new teammates''.
After the 2016 season, his salary will raise annually up to 15 million dollar in 2020.
(November 12)
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