Cincinnati Reds: 3 free agents to avoid this offseason

3. Andrelton Simmons, Shortstop

Some fans may think that any addition at shortstop would be an upgrade for the Cincinnati Reds entering the 2021 season. Think again. Adding Andrelton Simmons would be a mistake. A Gold Glover in the past, Simmons’ defense was below-average in 2020 and his bat has never been his calling card.

If the Reds are looking to upgrade the shortstop position this offseason, there are better choices than Simmons. Simmons, who opted out during the final week of the 2020 season, played in just 30 games last year for the Los Angeles Angels. His slash line (.297/.346/.356) is solid, but anyone can put together a good month at the plate; just ask Jesse Winker.

Adding Simmons, on the surface, would appear to be a good move at least from a defensive perspective, right? Well, the four-time Gold Glove Award winner was not himself last season. After owning 193 defensive runs saved throughout his career, according to FanGraphs, Simmons accounted for -2 DRS in 2020.

An ankle injury cost Andrelton Simmons nearly 60 games in 2019 after he suffered a Grade 3 sprain in May and then re-aggravated the injury later that summer. Even before the season began, the ankle was giving Simmons problems once again. The last thing Cincinnati’s front office wants to do this offseason is invest in a player who may not be able to find his way onto the field.