Braves trade Andrelton Simmons to the Angels for Erick Aybar, two pitching prospects

The short-lived Andrelton Simmons sweepstakes is now over, as the young Braves shortstop has been traded to the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have traded shortstop Erick Aybar, left-handed pitching prospect Sean Newcomb, and right-handed pitching prospect Chris Ellis to Atlanta. The Angels will also send some money to the Braves in the deal.

The Braves had begun shopping Aybar earlier, as they were talking to the Padres, among others in the National League West. The Mets also reportedly discussed Simmons, a 26-year-old, with the Braves, but Atlanta's asking price of either Matt Harvey or Jacob deGrom was too high for the Mets.

Simmons hit .265/.321/.338 in 2015, and he would have been a defensive upgrade at shortstop had he come to New York. The Mets will now likely begin to look elsewhere to bolster the middle infield, both offensively and defensively. Ben Zobrist has been rumored to be on the radar, among other infielders.