The Braves locked up another young star player, this time agreeing to terms on a seven-year extension with Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons, the team announced Thursday morning.
The new deal will keep Simmons in a Braves uniform through 2020. Simmons becomes the fifth young star the team has signed to an extension in the past 17 days. The Braves also signed Freddie Freeman, Julio Teheran and Craig Kimbrel to long-term deals, and Jason Heyward’s contract was extended for two years, buying out his final years of arbitration.
Simmons’ deal is reportedly worth $58 million over seven years, which would bring the Braves spending spree to a total of $285 million.
“We feel that Andrelton is one of the premier shortstops in the game today and we are happy that we were able to agree on this multi-year contract,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a statement.
Simmons, 24, not only earned his first Gold Glove in 2013, his first full season in the majors but was named the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winner as the National League’s top defensive player.
Simmons saved a record-setting 41 runs this year, matching the highest total since Fielding Bible statisticians began keeping defensive runs saved in 2003. Simmons also set a single-season record for defensive WAR. His 5.4 rating matched the highest posted since Terry Turner’s 5.4 in 1906 for the Cleveland Naps.
More information to come.
