According to Buster Olney of ESPN via Twitter, the Mets reached out to the Atlanta Braves to inquire about the availability of gold glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
Olney says the talks didn’t go far as the Braves had an “unreachable price tag” on their 25-year old shortstop.
Considered by many to be the best defensive shortstop in the league, Simmons is in the second year of a seven-year, $58 million contract he signed after the 2013 season when he batted .248 with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and a .696 OPS in his first full season.
This season however, Simmons is batting .263 with a .325 OBP in 350 at-bats with Atlanta, while collecting 15 doubles, three home runs, and scoring 48 runs.
In addition to the stellar defense, Simmons provides above average production as a shortstop and has a .344 OBP and .721 OPS against right-handed pitching, making him an ideal leadoff option.
This would have been a stunning acquisition had it happened. Not sure if Gary Cohen could have kept his composure. 🙂
