Fansided

5 reasons the Braves shouldn’t have traded Andrelton Simmons

By John Buhler

Sep 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) reacts after hitting a walk off single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) reacts after hitting a walk off single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 1, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with Andrelton Simmons (19) after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with Andrelton Simmons (19) after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

2. He Was Part of the Core Four in Atlanta

What the front office led the Braves faithful to believe was that the team was rebuilding around this ‘Core Four’ of individual talents. Braves Country view them as first baseman Freddie Freeman, starting pitcher Shelby Miller, shortstop Simmons, and starting pitcher Julio Teheran. All four of these players were 26 or young and all but Simmons had made a National League All-Star Game.

Last offseason saw the Braves trade away Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and Craig Kimbrel, all four popular players on the team. The Alex Wood trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers further alienated the fan base. All of this was done to supposedly string the team down to the foundation of the ‘Core Four’.

Trading Simmons away puts an even further divide in the John Hart/John Coppolella Era of the Atlanta Braves front office. While Braves Country essentially understands that some of these moves were necessary, this city and fan base hasn’t experienced a rebuild in over 25 years.

Last year was the most incredibly painful season of Braves baseball since 1990. Trading away a cornerstone of the franchise brings in even more concerns if this club will in fact be ready to compete for a championship in 2017 when they move into SunTrust Park. Will Atlanta have a winner by then?

Next: History Doesn't Help Either

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