Cincinnati Reds: 3 bold predictions for remainder of the offseason

2. The Reds sign Andrelton Simmons to a one-year contract.

One thing that tends to get lost among the constant rumors of certain Reds players being dealt is the void at shortstop. As it stands, Kyle Farmer would be the Cincinnati starting shortstop heading into the 2021 season. I’m a huge fan of Farmer, but his role is that of a utility infielder. Cincinnati has been rumored to be in the market for a starting shortstop and Andrelton Simmons fits the bill.

Simmons is an elite-level defender with a questionable bat, though the 31-year-old put up nice numbers at the dish in limited action last season. Simmons slashed .297/.346/.356 in 30 games for the Los Angeles Angels. Simmons entered the free agent market along with Didi Gregorius and Marcus Semien this offseason.

Next winter’s crop of free agent shortstops, if they don’t re-sign with their current teams, will include the likes of Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, and Javier Baez. Cincinnati, however, is unlikely to enter a bidding war for the services of those five shortstops next offseason, especially with José García waiting in the wings.

Andrelton Simmons would be a solid stopgap option for the Reds in 2021, and due to his injury history and poor defensive performance in 2020, he may come cheaper than the likes of Gregorius and Semien. The only other starting shortstop available on the free agent market is last year’s starter Freddy Galvis. I doubt that Reds Country wants see Galvis in a Reds uniform next season.