Andrelton Simmons traded to Angels; Mets had shown interest

The Mets revived conversations with the Braves yesterday about acquiring Andrelton Simmons, only to watch as the Angels snagged the Gold Glove shortstop later in the day.

Simmons went to the Angels in exchange for shortstop Erick Aybar, pitching prospects Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis, and minor-league catcher Jose Briceno.

The move impacts the Mets on two fronts. That the Braves parted with Simmons signals their commitment to a long-term rebuilding effort. But more immediately, the deal takes away an intriguing trade candidate.

"We've had a number of conversations with the Braves, as with other clubs, about a number of different players," assistant general manager John Ricco said before the trade was announced.

The Mets have had Simmons on their radar since last summer. The shortstop's name came at the July 31 trade deadline as well, sources said, though the Braves asked for one of the Mets' Big Four starting pitchers. That asking price remained unchanged even this week when the Mets approached the Braves about Simmons.

With the exception of the near trade of Zack Wheeler to the Brewers at the trade deadline, the Mets have consistently refused to put their big arms in play. That stable includes Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Long Island's Steven Matz.

While the Braves moved quickly, the Mets' offseason may unfold at a more deliberate pace. After coming off a World Series appearance, the Mets are awaiting Daniel Murphy's decision on a $15.8-million qualifying offer, which will be announced Friday.

"Obviously that's a big factor, whether he's back or not," Ricco said on the final day of the general managers' meetings.

"Financially and roster-wise, he's a big part of who we were and what we need moving forward, so we have to see what happens there, and then that will guide us, at least in the short term, one direction or another."

Simmons could have been an intriguing option for the Mets, who got by last season with the combination of Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada.

"We've been talking about shortstop for a while," Ricco said. "But we did get to a World Series with our current combination, which is what we talked about the other day. We're just looking to get better. If we can get better there, we'll certainly look at it."

A two-time Gold Glover, Simmons, 26, is perhaps the best defensive shortstop in baseball. He's a career .256 hitter with a .304 on-base percentage. While the Mets generally prioritize offense, they nonetheless regarded Simmons highly.

The Braves signed Simmons to a seven-year, $58-million extension last February. He's under team control through 2020 and is owed $54 million.

Flores, 24, played much of the season at shortstop. He hit .263 with 16 homers, though the trade-off for that production was his below-average glove.

Tejada, 26, hit .261 and provided better defense than Flores at shortstop. His season ended in the NLDS, on Chase Utley's takeout slide.

While no deal appears imminent, much of the GM meetings were spent gauging other teams' needs and checking in with representatives of potential fits in free agency.

Mets officials will confer with GM Sandy Alderson, who remained in New York to undergo a medical procedure.

The team's to-do list includes acquiring a reliable setup man, a utility player capable of bouncing around the infield, and a platoon partner for centerfielder Juan Lagares.

"We're always ready to make a move," Ricco said. "But I think given the fact that we played all the way up until just over a week ago, and we're still kind of digesting the information we got here. My gut tells me it's going to be a little longer-term proposition."

With David Lennon

Rasmus accepts offer. A person familiar with the decision told the The Associated Press outfielder Colby Rasmus has accepted the Astros' one-year, $15.8-million qualifying offer, the first free agent to agree to such a deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the move. All 34 qualifying offers were turned down in the first three years of baseball's current CBA. -- AP