The Phillies have made a number of moves this offseason but still have to address there biggest two holes in the roster at catcher and shortstop. According to WIP's own Howard Eskin, the Phillies have serious interest in former Angel's shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
Simmons has also drawn heavy interest from the Blue Jays lately and is one of three veteran shortstops looking for a new team this winter alongside Marcus Semien and former Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius. Last year, Simmons made $15 million in the final season of his 7-year deal he originally signed with the Braves back in 2014.
As Eskin notes, the Phillies are looking for a one-year deal with Simmons, similar to the deal they signed Gregorius to last offseason.
Simmons is considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the game although he appears to be on the other side of his prime. At 31, he has dealt with injuries over the last couple of seasons and the defensive has declined since he earned his fourth Gold Glove in 2018. Simmons did post a career-best on-base percentage this past year, but his offensive output does not compare to what Didi Gregorius has done. Between Gregorius, Simmons and Semien, the former Phillies shortstop has the highest offensive production out of the three while Simmons flashes the best glove. Semien is seen as doing all things well.
Part of the slow moving market for these three shortstops is that no team wants to set the market price with a contract. All three shortstops could command similar deals, but it is clear evaluators favor Gregorius as the best of the three.
