Simmons dealt to Angels for two top pitchers, Aybar

[The Chosen One]

My initial reaction is that this return is bad. I don't think it's a situation where they didn't do due-diligence. Likely more that Simmons' market was not as good as many of us thought.

Then why sell him.

[NinersSBChamps]

The joke of the Atlanta Braves continues.

[thewupk]

So now we have another hole at SS to fill after 2016.

[tomahawkchop]

Just...what was the rush? Even if a handful of teams sign shortstops, Andrelton Simmons is not going to lose his value. You were not one day away from being unable to get this sort of return.

I recognize Coppolella isn't a stupid man, but I simply don't understand this.

this.

[Dunit24]

Is it true newcomb is the 19th best prospect according to mlb.com??? If so, we are setting up to have dominant SP and by the time they are ready, Albies will be our SS

[skillet]

I'm stunned we just gave away Simba for pennies on the dollar. What the hell???????????????????

[MadduxFanII]

I swear to God, if we took less value in prospects because we need Anaheim to kick in three million to cover part of Aybar's salary....

[Heyward]

Is it true newcomb is the 19th best prospect according to mlb.com??? If so, we are setting up to have dominant SP and by the time they are ready, Albies will be our SS

He better be Kershaw if he's the headliner.

[Hudson2]

It's time for Bobby and JS to ride off into the sunset, their time has come and gone. You can't completely build a damn team on pitching! You need offense and defense to and we just traded maybe our best player for scraps! This is complete horse****! Coppy has lost any faith I had in him. Fn pitching!!

[Carp]

Ok, now I'm competely convinced that they are simply cleaning house of anybody that Wren ever brought in or gave agreed to a conttact with. Freeman will be gone next. This team will be super fun to watch when the new stadium opens......

[bravesnumberone]

Just...what was the rush? Even if a handful of teams sign shortstops, Andrelton Simmons is not going to lose his value. You were not one day away from being unable to get this sort of return.

I recognize Coppolella isn't a stupid man, but I simply don't understand this.

Yes he is. If he thinks this makes any sense or unless this is setting up something really big, he most certainly is.

[VirginiaBrave]

Nailed another one...don't jump off the deep end when Julio is delt.

[dak]

For 2016 purposes, Erick Aybar is not a huge step back from Andrelton. 2016 Steamer comparison:

Simmons: 87 wRC+, 3.1 fWAR
Aybar: 88 wRC+, 1.9 fWAR

[DirkPiggler]

I haven't seen either of them pitch (or if I did they weren't memorable or I was drunk), but I can say that Dickey-Stephens Park here in Little Rock (where both pitchers were for at least part of last year) is an extreme pitcher's park. Any stats from last year that made these guys look good should be taken with a whole shaker full of salt.

[EstebanBugatti]

Ok, now I'm competely convinced that they are simply cleaning house of anybody that Wren ever brought in or gave agreed to a conttact with. Freeman will be gone next. This team will be super fun to watch when the new stadium opens......

Teheran will be next to go because his contract is smaller.

[Heyward]

I wasnt against trading Simmons but at least get some value for him.

Not a prospect guy but what does Newcomb project towards, #1, #2 or #3?

[thewupk]

Guys it's really simple. We are clearing as much salary as we can for next offseason so we can make a big splash going into the new stadium. Also it's the Braves way to have tons of pitching even if the positional players suck.

[mossy]

Are we overrating Simmons? I'm not saying I like the deal, but Simmons is basically Ozzie Smith with pop once in a great while. Watching him hit and run the bases is painful. But even if he's the best defensive SS we've ever had, what does that do for us now?

I hope they trade Freeman and our right fielder, then hope to compete in 10 years.

[NinersSBChamps]

For 2016 purposes, Erick Aybar is not a huge step back from Andrelton. 2016 Steamer comparison:

Simmons: 87 wRC+, 3.1 fWAR
Aybar: 88 wRC+, 1.9 fWAR

Cleveland steamer?

[DirkPiggler]

Ok, now I'm competely convinced that they are simply cleaning house of anybody that Wren ever brought in or gave agreed to a conttact with. Freeman will be gone next. This team will be super fun to watch when the new stadium opens......

Before long they'll have to offer free Gwinnett Braves tickets as an incentive to purchase tickets for the big club.