Andrelton Simmons traded to Angels

Andrelton Simmons was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels on November 12, 2015 along with Jose Briceno. The Braves in exchange received Erick Aybar, Sean Newcomb, Christopher Ellis and cash.

Simmons is a shortstop who hit .265/.321/.338 with 4 HR, 44 RBI, 60 R, 5 SB in 147 games with the Braves in 2015. Over four MLB seasons with the Braves he hit .256/.304/.362 with 31 HR, 168 RBI, 197 R, 16 SB in 499 games. He won Gold Gloves in 2013 and 2014. He was originally drafted by the Braves in the second round in 2010. Simmons turned 26 on September 4th.

Briceno is a catcher who played at Class A Advanced Carolina in 2015. He hit .183/.215/.267 with 4 HR, 20 RBI, 32 R, 2 SB in 88 games. His minor league caught stealing rate is 40%. He originally signed with the Rockies in 2009 as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela and was traded to the Braves in July 2015. Briceno turned 23 on September 19.

Aybar is a SS/2B who hit .270/.301/.338 with 3 HR, 44 RBI, 74 R, 15 SB in 156 games with the Angels in 2015. Over 10 MLB seasons with the Angels he hit .276/.315/.378 with 48 HR, 417 RBI, 572 R, 141 SB in 1220 games. He won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2011. He originally signed with the Angels in 2002 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Aybar will be 32 on January 14.

LHP Newcomb split 2015 between Class A Burlington, Class A Advanced Inland Empire and Double A Arkansas. He was 1-0, 1.83 ERA, 45 K, 1.28 WHIP, .208 BAA in 34.1 IP over 7 games at Burlington, 6-1, 2.47 ERA, 84 K, 1.26 WHIP, .207 BAA in 65.2 IP over 13 games at Inland Empire and 2-2, 2.75 ERA, 39 K, 1.28 WHIP, .176 BAA in 36.0 IP over 7 games at Arkansas. He was originally drafted by the Angels with the 15th pick of the first round in 2014. Newcomb turned 22 on June 12.

RHP Ellis split 2015 between Inland Empire and Arkansas. He was 4-5, 3.88 ERA, 70 K, 1.16 WHIP, .224 BAA in 62.2 IP over 11 games at Inland Empire and 7-4, 3.92 ERA, 62 K, 1.54 WHIP, .258 BAA in 78.0 IP over 15 games at Arkansas. He was originally drafted by the Angels in the third round in 2014. Ellis turned 23 on September 22.