*Photo from the Star Tribune*
After the Chicago Cubs were supposedly eyeing a star shortstop, they decided to sign a not star shortstop. The Cubs and SS Andrelton Simmons have agreed to a one year, $4 million deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Cubs have confirmed the deal.
While Simmons is by no means an elite shortstop, he is very skilled defensively. He's taken home 4 gold gloves, the Wilson overall defensive player of the year, and one platinum glove in his 10 seasons in the majors. Last season, he finished ranked 4th among MLB shortstops in OAA, per statcast.
Last season, Simmons was on a one year deal with the Minnesota Twins, where he predictably struggled at the plate. Simmons finished the year with a .223 batting average and .558 OPS, slugging just .274 while hitting 3 home runs to go along with 31 RBI's, adding 12 doubles in 131 games played for the AL Central last place Twins.
Across his 10 MLB seasons, spent with the Twins, Los Angeles Angels, and Atlanta Braves, Simmons has a career .265 batting average and .683 OPS, hitting 70 home runs and driving in 437 runs in 1,191 games played since debuting in 2012.
Signing Simmons does not hinder the Cubs plans to pursue a big name shortstop as spring training opens, but the Cubs do have Nico Hoerner slotted in at shortstop and Nick Madrigal lined up as the starting second baseman if they don't make any more additions in the middle infield ahead of the 2022 season.
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