Reds rumors: Cincinnati has competition for Andrelton Simmons

The Cincinnati Reds may have competition for Andrelton Simmons. The latest Reds rumors suggest two other teams are interested in the shortstop as well. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays are among a cluster of teams also interested in Simmons’ services.

Simmons is the best defensive shortstop one the open market this winter, and though he only played in 30 games last season for the Los Angeles Angels, the four-time Gold Glove Award-winner is still drawing plenty of interest this offseason.

Reds rumors have persisted about Cincinnati’s interest in Andrelton Simmons.

Lately, the Reds rumors have centered around Andrelton Simmons. Oddly, a team like Cincinnati, who’s looking to boost their offensive profile after a disastrous campaign at the plate in 2020, has turned their attention to the more defensive-minded Simmons.

There are two other players on the open market to take the reins of starting shortstop for the Reds next season. Former MVP candidate Marcus Semien is still a viable option, and former Cincinnati farmhand Didi Gregorius remains unsigned.

From the outside looking in, one would think that Semien or Gregorius would be a better fit for the Cincinnati Reds considering their offensive prowess. Semien has hit .270/.354/.486 over the past two seasons and finished third the AL MVP race in 2019. Gregorius reestablished his value last season with the Phillies as a left-handed power-bat after a mediocre 2019 season.

Why are the Blue Jays interested in Andrelton Simmons?

The curios name among those mentioned by Heyman is the Toronto Blue Jays. After undergoing a youth-movement last season and returning to the postseason for the first time in a long while, it seems curious that the Jays are interested in a veteran shortstop with Bo Bichette currently installed as the team’s starting shortstop.

However, snagging Andrelton Simmons could enhance Toronto’s infield defense and Bichette could be moved to third base. This would keep Bichette’s bat in the lineup while improving the defense behind an improved Blue Jays starting rotation.

Until Nick Krall and the Cincinnati front office sign someone to be the team’s starting shortstop for the 2021 season, these Reds rumors are unlikely to stop. The Philadelphia Phillies have also been trying to re-sign the top catcher on the market, J.T. Realmuto. Perhaps, until that situation is settled, the shortstop market will remain unsettled.