When the Braves traded Simmons to the Angels in exchange for Newcomb and Chris Ellis after the 2015 season, they saw Newcomb's potential to develop into a legitimate frontline starting pitcher, and also wagered on the concern Simmons' contract would be a liability once he began to decline both offensively and defensively.
Braves general manager John Coppolella heralded Simmons as one of the greatest defensive shortstops the game has seen. Simmons led all Major League shortstops in Ultimate Zone Rating per 150 games during three of the past four seasons (ranked second in 2015).