ShortSwap

Last year, and also sort of this year, I scolded the A's for giving up Josh Donaldson for Brett Lawrie. Trading a third baseman for another third baseman makes no sense, because one of them is ultimately better, and whoever isn't is gonna cost their team a goldmine. It cost the A's big time this year, because Josh Donaldson is headed, most likely, for his first AL MVP, while Brett Lawrie...well, he did alright.

They never learn, do they? Because tonight, somebody else decided to trade a shortstop for a shortstop. And, like the Donaldson deal, one is gonna make their new team much happier than the other. And it's not the guy at the top of the post, unfortunately.

Here's the deal, literally. The Angels sent Erick Aybar and a few prospects to the Braves, just to nab Andrelton Simmons. These are very similar circumstances to the Jays-A's deal. The Angels are looking like they might be good next year, and Simmons could be their breakout star. The Braves are looking like they might be in for another down season, and Aybar may not help that a great deal.

I mean, the prospects they sent to the Braves look good, and Aybar could be pretty nice, but I'm not sure they should have let Simmons get out of hand, because he's a REALLY GOOD infielder, and he's a nice speedy little bat. He's a guy that should have been a Brave for a few more years, and could be a piece of a great team. Now, it looks like the Angels could be that great team.

Again, this trade could help both sides, and may have been smart, but I really don't think the Braves should have given up Andrelton Simmons that easily, especially to a team that very well could compete next year.

Still, interesting trade. Love to see some more like it.