Are the Twins Destined for an Andrelton Simmons Reunion?

[Cody Christie]

This winter, Minnesota's most significant need is pitching, which might push other needs to the backburner. Does that make a reunion with Andrelton Simmons more likely?

 

Last winter, the Twins were focused on making improvements to their infield. Adding a shortstop allowed the team to move Jorge Polanco to second base, where there could be less physical wear and tear on his body. Minnesota was interested in players like Marcus Siemen, Didi Gregorius, and Andrelton Simmons. Siemen agreed to terms with Toronto, and Gregorious resigned with the Phillies. This left Minnesota focused on Simmons. 

At the time of the signing, the Twins were saying all the right things about Simmons. "There are so many ways that he fits into what we do and what we are trying to accomplish," said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. "We have one of the best, I think, pitching staffs as a whole in the American League, and for us to be able to complement that group with basically one of the greatest defenders of our generation, and to be able to put Andrelton at the shortstop position, which also allows us to really solidify everything going on in the rest of our infield as well."

Unfortunately, everything didn't work out perfectly with the Simmons signing. Besides his strong defensive skills, he was known for his elite contact ability. He had the worst offensive season of his career as he hit .223/.283/.274 (.558) with a 57 OPS+. All of those totals were career lows, and he struck out over 60 times for only the third time in his 10-year career. His defense was still strong, but the offense was tough to swallow. 

Besides his offensive flaws, Simmons was also at the center of some off-field distractions this season. He declined to get the COVID vaccine, and then he tested positive for coronavirus in April. He also made comments about his anti-vax opinions on social media. Leading into spring training, he dealt with visa issues, and he couldn't go with the team to Toronto later in the season because of visa and immigration issues. His season couldn't have gone much worse across the board.   

By season's end, fans were frustrated to see Simmons in the line-up regularly when he didn't have a long-term obligation to the club. Playing someone like Nick Gordon at shortstop would allow the club to evaluate him for the long term. However, the club has seen Gordon play shortstop throughout his minor league career, and they may have already decided that he won't play the position regularly at the big-league level.

This winter is a prime offseason to be looking for a free-agent shortstop. One of the best free-agent shortstop classes in MLB history is available, with names like Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Javier Baez, and Trevor Story headlining the list. Other potential options include Chris Taylor, Freddy Galvis, Jose Iglesias, and old friend Simmons. There are multiple intriguing names, but why would the Twins consider circling back to Simmons?

Minnesota has many needs this winter, and spending money on a top-tier shortstop can be expensive. Simmons signed for $10.5 million last winter, and his cost is estimated to be significantly less in 2022. In the 2022 Twins Daily Offseason Handbook, his contract is estimated to be $3 million, which is not much in the grand scheme of an MLB roster. MLB.com also identified him as a prime bounce-back candidate after his horrible offensive season. 

Signing Simmons to a one-year deal can also keep shortstop open for one of the team's top prospects. Both Royce Lewis and Austin Martin have played shortstop during their professional careers, but neither may play the position long-term. Signing one of the top-tier shortstops likely pushes both of these players off the position moving forward. 

Fans will be disappointed if Simmons returns next season, but there's a real possibility of a reunion, at least for the 2022 campaign. Do you think Simmons will return to Minnesota? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[mikelink45]

Yes, I will be disappointed.  I just do not see the great glove that the metrics claim.  I saw a player who was indifferent at times, who missed opportunities that would not show in the statistics.  I still use the eye test, and he failed my vision.

[wsnydes]

I'd be pretty disappointed.  That said, it would make some sense if the FO thinks Martin or Lewis (or someone else) will be ready this season, just not on Opening Day.  I can understand that logic.  I won't like it in the interim, but that approach does make sense.  He's likely to be an easy DFA decision.

[4twinsJA]

Just like getting rid of a manager to reset the team, sometimes you need to reset the roster to change the attitude on the team. I will be disappointed if not some turnover on the team. Time to move on from Simmons, Cave, Refsnyder, Garlick, Astudillo, and possible trades for Sano, Donaldson, Kepler, maybe even Arraez and Garver if return is good.

[cHawk]

Ugh. Please no.

[terrydactyls]

Has he gotten vaccinated?  If not, then send him elsewhere.  I would prefer Iglesias for one (or even two) years as the shortstop.

[dex8425]

He can't possibly be worse than he was this year. None of the better shortstops are going to take a one year deal. I wouldn't be mad if the Twins also signed 2-3 legitimate starters and 1-2 bullpen arms. 

[wavedog]

He would not be my first choice or 2nd  - but I can see it happening and I would not hate it.   First try to sign one of the big guys (for me Correa would be my choice)  then when that likely will fail - try for Galvis or Iglesias on a short-term deal.  If that doesn't work out then Simmons.   I know he made some head-scratching plays on defense but he also made difficult plays look easy and is our best defensive option.   If he comes back you have to hope his hitting picks up and if not DFA him or trade him and trial some of our other young candidates who hopefully one of them will step up next year.  His hitting was frustrating last year - could not even bunt well.   

[RonCoomersOPS]

I'd still rather bring back JA Happ to cover SS next year than let Simmons anywhere near the team, but I guess if the price is right and he agrees to get vaccinated as part of his contract then we could probably do worse.

I would just hope that a reunion with Simmons turns out to be extremely short-lived, because Lewis or Martin have started out hot and have taken over the position by like May 1.

[Doctor Gast]

Andrelton Simmons at 3M, I'd jump all over that. I don't care about a player's skin color, religion, political affiliations or if he believes in UFOs and leprechauns, what matters to me is can he play SS? I believe most owners would concur with me and bet on a Simmons to bounce back on his hitting and he'd go much higher than 3M and still  be a steal at 2X that.

With a new hitting coach, I can see his hitting could be higher than his average and as always with a tight budget he makes a lot of sense. To me he doesn't seem like a difficult person to be around.

[Unwinder]

Bringing back Simmons may indeed be the pragmatic choice, but from a fan perspective it really feels like giving up. Even if there are good moves elsewhere, it'll be hard to believe that the Twins are aiming for contention if they can't move on from Simmons.

Simmons himself could also benefit from a change of scenery, and a new fanbase that views him as a shrewd buy-low candidate rather than one of the most visible scapegoats of a disappointing year.

[Johnny Ringo]

You know the old adage about the FO listening to the fans. Listen to them and pretty soon you are sitting with them. My guess is that this is very close to a lock.  As a follow-up; any guesses who the leader in career defensive WAR might be?

Hint: (on a years adjusted basis its not very close) 

[bean5302]

Yes. I believe the Twins are going to bring him back as the every day shortstop and I think Simmons will likely be even worse.

[Karbo]

If the Twins are going to spend the big bucks on pitching and end up stretched on payroll they could do worse than Simmons. He isn't my choice #1 or #2 but sometimes you take what you can afford, and we could do worse. 

[USAFChief]

I see Simmons as a pretty good bounce back candidate, with a floor of "really good defense." He's not a good hitter, and never will be, but he's likely better than he showed last year. 

I'd rather they get Correa, but that ain't happening, and there's no internal option, so it wouldn't surprise me at all. I would require vaccination, though, or no deal. 

[farmerguychris]

No thanks.  I'd rather have some growing pains with one of our SS rookies over Simmons again.  A rookie will make some mistakes, but hopefully won't infect a team with anything preventable.

[Connor Gould]

I'm down, he'd be cheap and if bounces back offensively it's a steal, plus it both gives us more money to use on starters and infield defense to help them.

[Joey P]

I think it makes a lot of sense for him to return. I think he can be a mentor to those 2 aforementioned prospects. (defensively at least). I think the fact the Twins were struggling so much as a whole may have been a part of the reason for his poor season. We shall see. 

[LastOnePicked]

They are not going to sign a top SS free agent when SS candidates are nearing the bigs, and a top SS free agent isn't going to want to sign with a last place club with no starting staff. And if the FO cared about fan response, they wouldn't have traded Cruz and Berrios. All signs point to a Simmons reunion. And I'm fine with that. He's solid at SS, and perhaps due for a little bounceback at the plate.

[Dave The Dastardly]

I'd rather watch the kids play. If they need "mentoring" they should stay in the minors another year.

[TwinsChupacabra]

If the Twins care about their fan base they won't resign Simmons or Colome.  If they care about winning, they won't resign Simmons or Colome.

I've already lost my confidence in the front office, so if they choke on this, I won't be surprised. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 hours ago, USAFChief said:

I see Simmons as a pretty good bounce back candidate, with a floor of "really good defense." He's not a good hitter, and never will be, but he's likely better than he showed last year. 

I'd rather they get Correa, but that ain't happening, and there's no internal option, so it wouldn't surprise me at all. I would require vaccination, though, or no deal. 

I also see Simmons as a decent bounce back candidate but still want him nowhere near the 2022 Twins roster. 

[dex8425]

3 hours ago, Joey P said:

I think it makes a lot of sense for him to return. I think he can be a mentor to those 2 aforementioned prospects. (defensively at least). I think the fact the Twins were struggling so much as a whole may have been a part of the reason for his poor season. We shall see. 

I thought about that too but he was great with LAA and they were historically bad when he was there. 

[dex8425]

6 hours ago, Johnny Ringo said:

You know the old adage about the FO listening to the fans. Listen to them and pretty soon you are sitting with them. My guess is that this is very close to a lock.  As a follow-up; any guesses who the leader in career defensive WAR might be?

Hint: (on a years adjusted basis its not very close) 

Without looking it up...I think Ozzie Smith would be the leader in career defensive WAR, right? Brooks Robinson has to be up there too. Simmons actually has an outside HOF chance but needs to play 3-5 more years at 3 WAR or so. That will not happen if he has more seasons like 2021 obviously. 

[Nashvilletwin]

So we head into 2022 with pretty much the same lineup as we ended the year?  Maybe add a different #3 SP and/or a few relievers?  That, my friends, is not a recipe for success. 
 

Neither Martin and Lewis go project as plus defensive SS. They do, however, project as outstanding corner outfielders. And that’s where they should be starting and playing every day in 2023 with Buxton I’m the middle. 
 

Move Donaldson and use the cash to invest in a long term deal with one of the leading FA SS
 

 

[stringer bell]

7 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

With a new hitting coach, I can see his hitting could be higher than his average and as always with a tight budget he makes a lot of sense. To me he doesn't seem like a difficult person to be around.

Its a pet peeve of mine that so much importance is placed on hitting and pitching coaches, particularly for veterans. 
 

Simmons may or may not hit better next year, but I think any improvement would be on the player, not the coach. 
 

I’ll chime in that a one-year contract for half (or less) of his 2021 salary would be worth doing, with the condition that he isn’t somehow a distraction in the clubhouse. 
 

I certainly don’t agree with Simmons’ stance on COVID vaccination, but I don’t think that alone should eliminate him from consideration. He’s a fine defensive player at a critical position with a history of being an acceptable hitter. He was a terrible offensive player last year. 

[Doctor Gast]

43 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Its a pet peeve of mine that so much importance is placed on hitting and pitching coaches, particularly for veterans. 
 

Simmons may or may not hit better next year, but I think any improvement would be on the player, not the coach. 
 

I’ll chime in that a one-year contract for half (or less) of his 2021 salary would be worth doing, with the condition that he isn’t somehow a distraction in the clubhouse. 
 

I certainly don’t agree with Simmons’ stance on COVID vaccination, but I don’t think that alone should eliminate him from consideration. He’s a fine defensive player at a critical position with a history of being an acceptable hitter. He was a terrible offensive player last year. 

It shouldn't be a pet peeve, Stinger . We should never stop learning from others, we never really arrive, we could always need an extra pair of eyes, an encouragement to focus on what needs to be done and help us to get back on track. Granted a veteran like Donaldson need minimal help but a veteran like Simmons could use a lot of help to get back on track with his hitting. Some veteran need to be retaught on things they were taught wrong.

I know some well accomplished veteran pitchers that could use help from Wes Johnson and Johan Santana.

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I also see Simmons as a decent bounce back candidate but still want him nowhere near the 2022 Twins roster. 

That's a fair take. Who plays SS next year?

[Brock Beauchamp]

15 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

That's a fair take. Who plays SS next year?

No idea. I hope they spend for one of the big 4-5 but I’m quite skeptical of that happening. 

[DocBauer]

I say this without anything negative intending to be implied to the man, but as long as Simmons isn't a distraction or problem in the clubhouse, I'm OK if he's back for a 1yr for about $3M. That being said, he's not my first choice. Sometimes the puzzle pieces that make up a team just don't all fit together the right way. I sort of had that feeling, for whatever reason, with Simmons. I could be completely wrong. 

Assuming most of the resources for 2022 are spent on pitching, we need a SS and I'm looking at Galvis and Iglesias as my first two choices. (Providing Iglesias's defensive issue were a blip). But in defense of Simmons, no pun intended, his career numbers are .265/ .313/ .683. And that is including his horrible 2021 at the plate. 5 times in 10 years he's had an OPS of .690 or higher. For a high quality defense first SS that is more than acceptable.

Galvis, for example, has a lower career BA and OB% but an almost identical career OPS due to quite a bit more power. Iglesias beats them all with his career numbers. (Less HR power than Galvis). 

Galvis is a fine defensive SS and Iglesias has been one as well before what would hopefully prove to just be a down year. And after such a horrendously poor year at the plate by Simmons, which I fully appreciate, I don't think you can easily dismiss him as a bounceback candidate.

Again, for the sake of change for a piece of the puzzle, he's not my first choice. But I'm not grabbing and torch or pitchfork if he's back.