The Los Angeles Angels have acquired shortstop Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves, per ESPN. The Braves received veteran shortstop Eric Aybar, two pitching prospects, and $2.5 million cash for Simmons and minor league catcher Jose Briceno.

ESPN noted that the 26-year-old is the best defensive shortstop in baseball, winning the Gold Glove Award for the position in 2013 and 2014, and was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year last Wednesday. Atlanta officially confirmed the trade via their official Twitter account.

Newcomb and Ellis are the top two pitching prospects in the Angels organization according to MLB.com. The Angels gave their future starters for a defensive shortstop that is best in the game and can stay in California for a long time.

"We are extremely excited to acquire an impact shortstop and one that fits our championship standards. This is one of those transactions where each organization will benefit in both the short and long term," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said via ESPN.

According to Spotrac, Simmons is due to earn $6.1 million next season with an annual salary increasing to $8.1 million in 2017, $11.1 million in 2018, $13.1 million in 2019 and $15.1 million in 2020. He signed a seven-year, $58 million deal back in 2013.

The Curacao native has led the National League in defensive wins above replacement from 2013 to 2015. He has a career dWAR of 15.2 that is already good for 103rd place in the all-time list, per Baseball Reference. He also has a career .983 fielding percentage with 1,354 assists and 692 putouts since 2013, with 113 runs saved. 

However, Simmons' defensive abilities overcome his struggles at the plate with a career batting average of .256, with 472 hits, 31 home runs, 168 RBIs and 184 strikeouts in four seasons with the Braves. The Sun-Times report that Atlanta is in full rebuild mode while the Angels are hoping to get back into the playoffs with Simmons joining Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Cole Kalhoun in Los Angeles. 

Before the trade happened, Simmons was just rumored to be a potential trade candidate with the Braves listening to offers from the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox, per CBS Sports. Atlanta has a history with the Padres, previously dealing Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel to San Diego last offseason.