What Andrelton Simmons Signing Means for Cruz, Lewis, Dobnak & More

[Matthew Taylor]

On Tuesday evening, the Minnesota Twins agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million deal with free agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Within are the five biggest takeaways from the massive offseason addition for the reigning AL Central Champs.1. Andrelton Simmons Drastically Improves the Minnesota Twins Infield Defense

 

The biggest asset that Andrelton Simmons brings to the table for the Minnesota Twins is the all-world defense that he provides from the shortstop position. Through the first nine years of his career, Simmons has taken home four gold gloves and shown that he has the reaction, range and arm to be one of the best defensive shortstops of all time when his career is all said and done. Defensive statistics typically aren’t always the most reliable metric, but the amount of separation that Simmons has put between him and every other shortstop in the league shows just how talented he is at the “6”. From 2015-2020, Andrelton Simmons has saved a total of 123 runs from the shortstop position, this is 44 more runs than second place Nick Ahmed and 78 more runs than fifth place Trevor Story.

 

Simmons brings a defensive prowess to the shortstop position that Twins fans have never before seen and will be a massive improvement over the shortstop defense that Twins fans have grown used to with Jorge Polanco over the past handful of years.

 

 

The addition of Andrelton Simmons not only improves the Twins’ shortstop defense, but figures to improve their defense at second base as well. For all of Jorge Polanco’s struggles at shortstop, his hands and athleticism were never the issue. Polanco’s issues have mostly come as a result of his shaky arm. At second base, where Polanco played much of his career in the minors, Polanco won’t be stretched with his arm and will be able to utilize his range and soft hands to upgrade the defense over Luis Arráez who had repeatedly been stretched from that spot as the everyday second baseman over the past two seasons.

 

2. Royce Lewis is Now Set to Take the SS Baton in 2022

 

It was not by accident that Andrelton Simmons was signed to a one year deal. By signing Simmons for just the 2021 season, the Twins were able to fill their shortstop/utility need for the upcoming season, without clogging up the shortstop position for future seasons. By doing this, the Twins were able to perfectly set up the Royce Lewis era in Minnesota in 2022. The Twins can now allow their top prospect time to learn and develop in the minors for the 2021 season without the pressure of needing to call him up early or force him into a starting role before he is ready. Further, both Royce Lewis and all of Minnesota Twins Territory all know that the shortstop position will be Royce’s for the taking for 2022 and beyond and there should be no shortstop controversy this time next winter.

 

3. Re-Signing Nelson Cruz is Now Even More Imperative

 

While the signing of Andrelton Simmons drastically improves the Minnesota Twins’ defense, his signing only further solidifies their need to acquire a big bat, something Simmons does not possess. Over the course of his career, Simmons has only once eclipsed 15 home runs in a season and has posted an OPS of just .730 over the past 4 seasons. With Simmons most likely headed for a bottom of the order spot in the lineup, the Twins need to replace the middle of the order bat left behind by Eddie Rosario and (potentially) Nelson Cruz still has yet to be addressed.

 

The easiest path for the Twins to fill that middle of the order spot in the lineup is simply by bringing back Cruz. The Twins still have ~$20M in payroll money to play with, allowing room to bring back Cruz and still sign a lower level pitcher to fill out their roster.

 

4. Andrelton Simmons spells good news for Randy Dobnak

 

Many benefitted from the Minnesota Twins signing of Andrelton Simmons, but perhaps no player benefited more from the move than Minnesota Twins pitcher, Randy Dobnak. In his rookie season, Dobnak utilized his sinker to induce ground balls at an absurd rate of 62.1%, the most in all of baseball. With such a high ground ball rate, Dobnak relies on excellent infield defense behind him who can convert those ground balls into outs. With improved defense at the shortstop and second base positions, combined with the great defense at the hot corner from Josh Donaldson, it’s fair to expect some good numbers from Randy Dobnak in 2021, who is currently slated to be their #5 starter heading into the season.

 

5. Falvey and Levine Again Show they Aren’t Afraid to Mix Things Up

 

Last offseason, the Minnesota Twins front office showed they weren’t afraid to mix things up with the Twins’ roster when they made the decision to shift Miguel Sanó to first base and sign Josh Donaldson. Falvey and Levine did the same thing again this offseason, by bringing in a shortstop and shifting their all-star caliber players in Jorge Polacno and Luis Arráez into new roles. This move again showed us that the Twins front office is willing to pivot in any number of directions and will always drift towards where there is value to be found. This offseason with three great shortstops on the market, they found the value at shortstop and didn’t let roster construction hinder their opportunity to capitalize on that value. In a sport like baseball where so many are hesitant to change or put players in new positions, it’s refreshing to see a Twins front office with an open mind to make whatever move improves their team.

 

What were your biggest takeaways from the Minnesota Twins signing of Andrelton Simmons? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

 

MORE ANDRELTON SIMMONS COVERAGE

— BREAKING: Twins to Sign Andrelton Simmons

— Offseason Live Replay: Twins To Sign Andrelton Simmons

— Simmons Down, 1 to Go: Securing the Middle Infield

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[GNess]

Seems like we are seeing the FO plan emerge as they pursued Semien and Simmons -ended up with Simmons, signed a LH veteran SP in Happ, added Robles to BP and basically replaced Rosario with Kirilloff.

 

The Simmons move greatly improves the defense and provides better positional options. Great move in theory.

 

If two moves are  left to do, which seems to be the consensus is there a Plan B if they can't secure Cruz? And what is the 2nd move to be? (A pitcher?)

 

 

 

 

[jrod23]

It's BOLD to say SS is Royce's for 2022...I like it.

[Out State Twin]

This FO is the best we have ever had. Their drafting strategy, improving the minor league teams (nutrition) pitching philosophy managing payroll. They are building a solid foundation.

[mikelink45]

 

This FO is the best we have ever had. Their drafting strategy, improving the minor league teams (nutrition) pitching philosophy managing payroll. They are building a solid foundation.

I can't go there yet.  I like them, but previous FO brought us to or won the World Series and that is the goal and end game.  

[nicksaviking]

It seems inevitable that this move is to set up Lewis as SS in 2022, but the logistics now become less clear. There is zero chance he makes his MLB debut opening day next year. If he's going to start there, he's going to have to play in the majors this year. But if he's going to play this year, does that mean the Twins shift Simmons, their best defender, to the bench? A different position? That's not going to look good if they're in the playoff hunt.

 

Does Lewis play a different position? That doesn't seem to set up his readiness to play SS next year. You also wouldn't call up your top prospect to ride pine and just make spot starts.

 

Does Lewis start next year in AAA? If so, then the team will need to find another stopgap SS because it's doubtful Polanco is ever going to move back to regular SS duties.

 

 

[strumdatjaguar]

No need to sign Cruz. The FO already says it will be putting Donaldson at DH more to limit injuries. Then get at bats for other players (Rooker,Larnach...)

[blindeke]

There's no way Cruz is as good as he was last year. Remember how fast Thome declined in his last season with the Twins?

[Vanimal46]

"Further, both Royce Lewis and all of Minnesota Twins Territory all know that the shortstop position will be Royce’s for the taking for 2022 and beyond and there should be no shortstop controversy this time next winter."

Jorge Polanco says hello. Who has said Lewis is better defensively than Polanco at SS?

[IndianaTwin]

This isn't a takeaway, but more of a reminder that this is another example of why we shouldn't be getting our shorts in a wad when we don't see activity in November, December, and January.

 

That's not the way this front office works. Perhaps I'm missing one of the larger transactions, but the average date on which Donaldson, Maeda, Cruz, Marwin, Lynn, Odo, and now Simmons were first acquired via trade or signing works out to Feb. 7. 

 

I'm guessing they aren't done.

[DocBauer]

We forget how young Lewis is. How much improvement happened for him in 2020?

 

Wouldn't be shocked if Simons was back in 2022.

[Danchat]

 

It seems inevitable that this move is to set up Lewis as SS in 2022, but the logistics now become less clear. There is zero chance he makes his MLB debut opening day next year. If he's going to start there, he's going to have to play in the majors this year. But if he's going to play this year, does that mean the Twins shift Simmons, their best defender, to the bench? A different position? That's not going to look good if they're in the playoff hunt.

 

Does Lewis play a different position? That doesn't seem to set up his readiness to play SS next year. You also wouldn't call up your top prospect to ride pine and just make spot starts.

 

Does Lewis start next year in AAA? If so, then the team will need to find another stopgap SS because it's doubtful Polanco is ever going to move back to regular SS duties.

I wouldn't assume all our infields stay healthy all season... these guys will get hurt, and probably be rested often, so there will be plenty of chances for the backup infielders to play. I think every infielder (including Simmons) has missed a decent chunk of time since 2019, or at least for Polanco his play was certainly limited.

[tony&rodney]

 

This FO is the best we have ever had. Their drafting strategy, improving the minor league teams (nutrition) pitching philosophy managing payroll. They are building a solid foundation.

 

You might need to check the years where the Twins won or competed for the World Series or American League championships.

The current FO are adored on TD, which is fine, but the Twins still haven't won a postseason game or presented themselves as a serious threat. For now, they are well back.

Maybe in 2021?

[Darius]

The defense is taking a huge leap with Simmons.

 

There is now a premier gold-glove caliber defender covering the left side of the infield and everywhere up the middle (aside from 2B).

 

We’re all of the sudden the best defensive club in the MLB, arguably.

[dxpavelka]

With Simmons most likely headed for a bottom of the order spot in the lineup, the Twins need to replace the middle of the order bat left behind by Eddie Rosario and (potentially) Nelson Cruz still has yet to be addressed. COULD also bring back Eddie. Younger, maybe cheaper AND was our leading run producer each of the last 4 years.

[DocBauer]

I wouldn't assume all our infields stay healthy all season... these guys will get hurt, and probably be rested often, so there will be plenty of chances for the backup infielders to play. I think every infielder (including Simmons) has missed a decent chunk of time since 2019, or at least for Polanco his play was certainly limited.

All the more reason to look at the FA INF depth available now, and probably available 3-4 weeks from now and sign an inexpensive veteran 11th man to the roster.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

The Twins still haven't announced this signing, have they? What might the holdup be?

[IndianaTwin]

 

All the more reason to look at the FA INF depth available now, and probably available 3-4 weeks from now and sign an inexpensive veteran 11th man to the roster.

 

Concur.

 

And the nice thing about signing Simmons is that that 11th man doesn't have to be able to play SS. With Donaldson's health, someone who features being a corner guy makes sense, which led me to Todd Frazier and would explain the Marwin rumors. 

 

[Twins33]

 

The Twins still haven't announced this signing, have they? What might the holdup be?

The physical. Sometimes they are done right away and sometimes not. Happ’s was done the next day and announced as official two days after it was first reported. Other times the player isn’t available right away to do one. Another option is there was an issue with his physical but that doesn’t happen a lot. 

[Linus]

I would be shocked if Lewis is our starting SS next year. He has to develop on both sides of the ball before he is a big league SS

[TopGunn#22]

What if:

 

Simmons plays so well the Twins would consider bringing him back on a 3-year deal 

Royce Lewis comes up mid-season and immediately moves into the super-utility role

Lewis shows flashes both with the bat and the glove but also frustrates with both occasionally.

The Twins, fearful Cruz is too one-dimensional and may be ready to suffer a steep decline offer Ozuna $20 a year for 5 years ?

If Simmons hits in the #9 spot       Where does Buxton hit ???

 

If the hitting/fielding roster remains unchanged what is the lineup #1-#9  ??

 

 

 

[TopGunn#22]

Well O.K.  The Twins can't get Ozuna for $20 a year.  But $20 Million a year ??     

[Doctor Gast]

I really missed Andy Macphail when he left. He knew the need and got it done right away. He was a shrewd negotiator. Things went downhill from there. But this FO has done a good job at bringing in a great manager and coaching staff with the high tech.

 

Any serious injury to Buxton or Simmons (I hope not) Lewis should be called up. When Lewis is called up there'd be a lot of work for him because he's a true super utility player

[TopGunn#22]

Great point about McPhail Doc.  When we needed Jack Morris he went out and got him. When we needed a toolsy outfielder he found Shane Mack.  

The problem with the Terry Ryan/Billy Smith years was that despite having MVP's (Mauer & Morneau) and CY Young Winners (Santana) the Twins NEVER went out and made that Big, Splashy, trade deadline deal to put them over the top.

The Twins were GOOD.  But perpetually NOT GOOD ENOUGH. 

They wasted some good years. 

[tony&rodney]

The Twins were really, really good from 1962-1970 and benefited from solid trades. Despite the lack of a WS win in that period, I would place those teams above the squads from 1987-1992 or 2001-2010. The current era has a long, long way to go to be considered in the same breath as those three runs of success.