Angels Acquire Arguably The Best Defensive Player In All Of Baseball

No Comments November 17, 2015 Angels By John Stellman

Brash Billy Eppler made his first bold move as Angel general manager and the effects are still rippling through Anaheim.

Eppler acquired arguably the best defensive player in the major leagues, Andrelton Simmons and 23- year old catcher Jose Briceno from the Atlanta Braves.

The cost was shortstop Erick Aybar and the top two pitching prospects in the Angel farm system, lefthander Sean Newcomb and righthander Chris Ellis.

Although the jury is still out and a final verdict on the winner and loser in this deal may be years away, the feeling here is that…

Eppler Will Prevail!

Simmons, 25, has already won 2 Gold Gloves in his first four full seasons.

Two years ago he was the recipient of the Platinum Glove, which is presented to the best of the Gold Glovers.

Last season, Simmons ranked first in five different defensive categories: putouts, assists, double plays, fielding percentage and Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR).

Although Aybar has slightly better offensive numbers (.276/.315/.378 to (.256/.304/.356) and a higher dWAR (5.3 to 5.2), the general manager’s rationale is that preventing runs is just as valuable as producing runs.

Equally important is the fact that Aybar is a free agent after next season.

The economical Simmons is signed through 2020 for a measly $53M. And the kicker may be that Cuban shortstop Roberto Baldoquin, in whom the club has invested approximately $15M, doesn’t appear ready to replace Aybar.

Go For It!

“More balls are hit at short than anywhere else,” Eppler told the Orange County Register. “When you have an opportunity, you do it.”

To get that replacement the Angels had to part with the 22-year old Newcomb, their first round selection (15th overall) in the 2014 draft.

In 27 starts last season, the 6’5, 245-pound hurler put up impressive numbers at Burlington, Inland Empire and Arkansas.

The hard thrower, who mixes in a curve and a change, averaged 11.1 strikeouts over nine innings while allowing 6.4 hits and surrendering just 0.3 home runs.

In those 136 innings Newcomb issued 76 walks (5 every 9 innings) while compiling a 2.38 ERA and a WHIP of 1.272. That all added up to a record of 9-3.

Cy Young vs Tommy John

Newcomb has Cy Young Award potential. But he could also be one pitch away from career ending Tommy John surgery.

The 6’4, 220 pound Ellis made a combined 26 starts at Inland Empire and Arkansas. Overall, he was 11-9 with a 3.90 ERA.

In 340 games covering 6 minor league seasons. Briceno has hit 28 home runs, driven in 148 runs, hit for an average of .255 and thrown out 40 percent of would be base stealers (146 of 363).

“Wherever you can, you improve the club. Wherever you can make an impact,“ the general manager concluded.

He did. And He did. Mission accomplished!

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...