UPDATE: The trade is official.
Braves acquire IF Erick Aybar, LHP Sean Newcomb & RHP Chris Ellis & cash from Angels for SS Andrelton Simmons and C Jose Briceno
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 13, 2015
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In his first big move as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, Billy Eppler acquired Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves in the biggest trade of the MLB offseason thus far.
Trade rumors throughout the day surrounded Simmons as it was said the Braves were shopping him and listening to offers. The teams have yet to announce the move, but Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com first reported the news and Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com was able to confirm it.
Source: Andrelton Simmons has been traded to the Angels. #Braves
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) November 12, 2015
Can confirm @JesseSanchezMLB's initial report that the Angels are getting Andrelton Simmons. Erick Aybar is going to Atlanta, plus others.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) November 12, 2015
Gonzalez noted in his tweet that Angels shortstop Erick Ayber is one of the players going to Atlanta in exchange for Simmons. He added shortly thereafter that the Braves will also receive Angels' top prospect Sean Newcomb, a left-handed pitcher as well.
I'm told, thru industry source, that Sean Newcomb, the Angels' top prospect, is headed to Atlanta in the deal. He would be the headliner.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) November 12, 2015
Joel Sherman of the New York Post then reported Los Angeles is sending prospect right-hander Chris Ellis and $3 million to Atlanta too.
#Braves trade Simmons to #Angels for Newcomb, Ellis, Aybar and about $3M
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 12, 2015
Mark Bowman of MLB.com then confirmed the amount of money going to Atlanta will be $2.5 million.
Newcomb, 22, went 9-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 27 starts (136 innings) between Class-A Burlington, High Class-A Inland Empire and Double-A Arkansas in 2015.
Ellis, 23, finished 11-9 with a 3.90 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 132 strikeouts in 26 starts (140 2/3 innings) between Inland Empire and Arkansas.
Newcomb and Ellis were ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in the Angels organization this past season, according to Baseball America.
The Angels will upgrade their defense with Simmons, who is regarded as one of the best fielding shortstops, if not the best, in the MLB. The 26-year-old is under a seven-year, $58 million contract. He's owed $53 million through 2020.
Los Angeles will also receive catching prospect Jose Briceno, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports.
Stay tuned for more updates.
