Twins to Sign Andrelton Simmons

[nicksaviking]

Considering Semien for 18M I’d guess Simmons was actually the back up plan. I wanted offense, not defense, but this is still way better than no move.

 

Polanco may be the 2B and Arraez the utility guy to start, but I can’t see that sticking. Polanco is a much better athlete; I struggle to see Arraez at 3B and no way is he playing SS.

[Twodogs]

I feel that Simmons is the exact guy they need, +++ defense and realistically + hitting. His last full season where he had 600 PA's he only struck out 44 times. He's the type of hitter that compliments the Twins power filled lineup.

[drivlikejehu]

When healthy, the Twins infield defense will be . . . very good. That could give them an angle to work on the pitching front.

 

For instance, Jake Arrieta and Brett Anderson are both groundball pitchers . . . could be inexpensive targets to add rotation depth. 

 

Unless the Twins have given up on signing Cruz, this would also seem to indicate their payroll won't be cut as much as feared.

 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

They needed this. When Buxton inevitably misses time, having Polanco, Arraez, and Kepler/Cave as the middle of your defense isn't exactly inspiring.

 

There shouldn't be any hand wringing over Simmons' bat. He isn't being signed to provide an offensive boost. There are plenty of bats on this roster capable of making up for his average offensive output.

Agreed. I see people - not here but elsewhere - acting like Simmons is Drew Butera. He’s been close to league average with the bat, which makes him pretty okay as an offensive shortstop.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Considering Semien for 18M I’d guess Simmons was actually the back up plan. I wanted offense, not defense, but this is still way better than no move.

 

Polanco may be the 2B and Arraez the utility guy to start, but I can’t see that sticking. Polanco is a much better athlete; I struggle to see Arraez at 3B and no way is he playing SS.

I think both Polanco and Arraez roam. Polanco back to short on occasion, Arraez more all over the field in the Marwin role.

[twins_89]

Coming into the off-season Simmons was about the only realistic position player upgrade I thought would be worthwhile, so I am extremely happy with the signing (this is infinitely better than bringing back Marwin). Now if the Twins can just add one good playoff caliber starting pitcher, the off-season will be a big success.

 

I'm also hopeful that this is finally the year where the front offices supposed skill at drafting and developing starting pitchers results in at least one rookie starter forcing their way into the rotation.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Awesome signing. He’s got 36 career WAR, including 14 in 2017-2018. If he is healthy all year, he will give Donaldson a run for his money for team MVP. Also improves Polanco by letting him move to 2B.

[TopGunn#22]

Well, I was hoping for something like this.  Short of trading for a Story or Baez this move allows the Twins to vastly upgrade defensively at SS.  2B is not as vital a defensive position as SS (this is why Kolten Wong, while a nice addition for some teams isn't as necessary for the Twins).  

 

If Simmons has a GOOD year for the Twins it will depend on how Buxton does this year and when/if Lewis makes it up and how he shows at SS.  

Simmons is looking for the one-year deal to build his value back up (I can't believe the Blue Jays signed Semien for one-year and $18 million---Twins got the better player at half the cost).

Simmons may make it tough for the Twins NOT to bring him back.

But a lot of that will depend on the year and health he has as well as Buxton & Lewis

 

I'd still like to see Rosenthal and Paxton signed (that would cost us Cruz) but with all the potential DH guys we have I'd kind of like to see the $$$ spent to shore up more needed areas.

DH's could be: Arraez, Rooker, Sano, Donaldson, Kiriloff, Polanco, Garver and even Larnach at some point.

Maeda, Berrios, PAXTON, Pineda & Happ 

ROSENTHAL, Rogers, Duffy, Robles, Alcala, Theilbar, Stashek, Colina

That's a pretty good starting staff & BP.

 

 

[denarded]

 

This is great. Polanco was defensive liability but is versatile enough to play SS, 2B and DH. Arraez at 2B and DH. I presume one or two of those three can play 3B while Donaldson rests or is at DH. Lewis comes up in the event of injury. Life is good.

Polanco should be practicing 3b right now and get his arm strength up

[drivlikejehu]

Arraez will play a lot. He should always be penciled in against righties, and would still play as needed against lefties. He's basically still a starter for all intents and purposes.

[terrydactyls]

2018 the left side of the infield was Sano and Polanco. Now it's Donaldson and Simmons. The team ERA just dropped 30%. Great signing.

[RaoulDuke]

Sign me up for this move!  Simmons and Buxton are all world defenders at the 2 premium positions, Donaldson and Kepler are top level guys as well.

 

Imagine Berrios or Maeda on the mound, the right side of the infield is insane.

[bobs]

  I love this move.  Have loved Simmons for years.  This is gonna help the pitching without much, if any, sacrifice offensively.  Two of Simmons, Polanco and Arraez starts in the middle infield.  I also love the ide'a of having Arraez available as a pinch hitter when he doesn't start.

[specialiststeve]

Fantastic move... 

Simmons should start most games at SS with Polanco coming over a couple days of the week if needed. I see Polanco taking over at 2B but also still see him as a natural super utility guy for the IF as he can play SS, 2B and 3B... Lots of options here. Not that this will happen but also opens up the DH spot for a rotation situation if we can't get Cruz back for some reason. Love Cruz and want his bat back but rotation may keep guys healthier..... again this move allow a lot of options.... Nice job Front office. 

[GNess]

This is a positive development  and makes the Twins better. Positional flexibility is a major asset and the Twins have considerable flexibility with Simmons at SS.

[DocBauer]

I LOVE this and not just because we have something substantial to talk about now, lol.

 

My first choice was Semien because I thought he brought the most balance of both offense and defense. But $18M??? NO WAY!! This was my 2nd choice as far as the FA SS that were available. No matter how good they are, I never wanted to part with any top prospects for a potential trade rental of Story or Baez. And I never thought the FO wanted to do that either. Financially, this is a bargain based on most projections I've seen. That is not unimportant as it provides more $ financial wiggle room.

 

Part of the beauty of this is beyond the ability and the contract. Something I'm not sure everyone gets. The Twins don't HAVE to name Polanco OR Arraez as the 10th man. There is room for BOTH. I believe Marwin, based on 2019 and the pro-rated numbers for 2020, would have him around 450+ AB. So again, room for EVERYONE!

 

For the moment, forget about Cruz. Forget a cheap 5th SP flier and a hopeful BP addition or two. Yes, Cruz will afford some coin. But they have it to spend. A 5th SP flier won't be expensive. And yes, there are some very interesting BP options to add that won't break the bank. But for a moment, just focus on the infield. We shouldn't stop here! INSURE the infield is as deep and versatile as the OF is! Especially considering there remain some injury concerns, even though we hope for the best.

 

I am NOT taking anything away from the excitement I have, or we should all have, from this move. But we still have need for an 11th man. History and just daily depth and options tell us this. Have you taken time to just look at the remaining options out there?

 

Think about Cabrera for $2-3M at 1B/2B/3B. Gyorko, Frazier, Miller, Schoop, Villar, and there are others to consider as well. There could be great value here for our FO who likes to lay low and wait.

[beckmt]

Like this move as there is no long term commitment, but would like to keep him against Buxton leaving.  Either Polance or Arraez could be the utility guy (play 5 - 6) days a week.  Saving runs also works.  

[ScrapTheNickname]

I am no expert, but his defense seems to be in steady decline. Per Baseball Reference his Range Factor per 9 innings has gone from a high of 4.92 in 2013 down to an abysmal 3.26 in 2020. Yes, small sample size and all that, but it's well below league average. Like I said, I'm no expert, but this, couple with questions about ankle injuries (I don't know anything about them, only that there have been several) makes me concerned about his one calling card: defense.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Hopefully he doesn't quit on the Twins like he did the Angels last year once their chance of reaching the playoffs was basically zero.

I've heard this elsewhere. Can you expand on what you think happened?

[Doctor Gast]

 

Sano can back up 3B.

I think Sano is our best back up option too. I don`t know exactly how they are going to manage Donaldson. . If they`ll rotate him at 1B or DH or complete rest the days he's not playing 3B or a combination of all 3.

I disagree that this  is a minor transaction. IMO this will totally revolutionizes the Twins & Polanco if he is kept at 2nd. Now we need a decent long term back up to Buxton. Although we hope that Buxton remains healthy the whole season , we can no longer depend on it. 

I love this transaction , Baez was my 1st option  but     Simmons was my second. Just hope his ankles are healthy. Best transaction for a long time

[dbminn]

 

Maybe you misread what I typed... the team is better now and probably not by an IGsignificant amount.

Basically, it’s probable the team just improved significantly, I just worded it in reverse.

 

Born and raised in Minnesota and I misunderstood a double negative. My bad!

[jmlease1]

Love this move. Simmons gives us a plus defender at SS for the first time in quite a while, and while he has very little pop in his bat, he does make good contact and take a few walks, so it's not like he's a black hole at the plate. He's not a great hitter, but he'll be ok at the bottom of the order.

 

I'm just excited about the defense. And with Polanco in a super-utility role at 2B, SS, maybe a little 3B, occasionally in the OF if needed...that should be an upgrade over what Marwin gave us last season. Even more importantly, if Polanco gets nicked up again they should be able to rest him rather than having him play through it. We just didn't have the SS depth last year.

[h2oface]

 

...Now get Cruz and keep adding quality arms on the cheap. ....

 

Ah.... if it were that easy. Quality arms on the cheap. 

[arby58]

 

Arraez is definitely more versatile than just playing 2B and DH. I think the Twins will have him play some at LF, 3B, SS, and 2B in 2021. He'll basically take Gonzalez's position.

Arraez is not 'fleet of foot' and his play in LF was often an 'adventure.' I'd rather have Polanco take a shot at the OF if that is necessary.

[Platoon]

I like this.. pitching in this game comes first, but if you haven’t been able to improve that then adding an elite SS takes away some of that slack. And he is elite. I had virtually forgotten that SS’s could cover that much ground, have that much arm velocity, and throw over the top.  For someone like me who enjoys a great defensive play as much or more than a Bomba, this is a good day. 

[Dman]

Not sure what to think of Simmons in decline but we desperately needed a player with his skill set on this team so this was a good get.  Was dreaming on Semien but that would have been high price to pay for one year.  Glad the FO finally recognized that Polanco was not a great defensive fit at short and getting something done.  Lewis can't be ready fast enough if you ask me.  I sure hope he can fix that swing as we need him sooner rather than later.

[rdehring]

Really doubt that any of the infielders need to play in the outfield. Polanco and Arraez will share second, while also backing up short and third. Considering injuries and rest, they should be in the field most games.

 

Although no one has mentioned it, I believe this reduces the likelihood Cruz returns. They absolutely need to keep both Polanco and Arraez bats in the lineup nearly every day. Some of that is gonna have to be at DH, which can't happen with a DH like Cruz on the team.

[beckmt]

 

Really doubt that any of the infielders need to play in the outfield. Polanco and Arraez will share second, while also backing up short and third. Considering injuries and rest, they should be in the field most games.

 

Although no one has mentioned it, I believe this reduces the likelihood Cruz returns. They absolutely need to keep both Polanco and Arraez bats in the lineup nearly every day. Some of that is gonna have to be at DH, which can't happen with a DH like Cruz on the team.

I agree with this, but with Polonco, Aarraez, Rooker, Kirloff, Donaldson, and Sano to rotate thru DH not to mention Jefferies or Garver on the days they are not catching Twins have plenty of DH options  Spend the money on pitching.

[LylesCrocodiles]

In response to h20face, I think there will be plenty of bargain arms available for the Twins to improve the pen. With so many teams not interested in adding payroll it’s just simple math that there will be guys who have to settle for less if they want ML jobs. And that’s why they pay Falvey and Levine the big bucks. If they sign the right arm or two it can help them replace productive guys from 2020 (May Wisler Clippard and Romo) without bloating the payroll and keeping them flexible for moves in 2022 and beyond. The bottom line to me is Simmons is a real solid addition and a sign the organization is willing to make more moves.

 

We can all speculate or throw out ideas of what we would do if we were in charge. (And my preference would be to get Cruz and either Rosenthal or Colomé) and then wait to see what remains in the FA relief pitcher market. And maybe snag a guy for $2M once spring training starts. Or even add mode guys to compete for the final bullpen spots. Can never have enough arms.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

I've heard this elsewhere. Can you expand on what you think happened?

 

He played his last game on September 21. The Angels were 6.5 games out of the playoffs with 5ish games left to play. From what I read he cleared out his locker and texted the coaching staff and then just left and gave the pandemic as the reason.

 

I get these are strange times but if you're nervous about the pandemic why not opt out at the beginning of the season? What has changed his mind now a few months later when the US is actually in a worse spot than it was in September? To me, he realized the Angels weren't going to make the playoffs and decided to pack up and leave.