Hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for noticing. Simmons was announced as part of the Middle East league Baseball United this fall, but apparently that didn’t take. An all-time great defensive shortstop, and a league-average hitter early in his career, Simmons was on a Hall of Fame path through age 28, but he injured his left ankle in spring training in 2019 and, whether that was all there was to it or not, he was never the same player again. He wound up playing in just 195 big-league games after turning 30. Still just 34 now, he finishes his career at .263/.312/.366 with 37.7 bWAR in 4,816 plate appearances.

Simmons was granted his unconditional release after the team designated him for assignment earlier this week. The 32-year-old shortstop struggled with injuries and performance this year, hitting .173/.244/.187 across 85 plate appearances. 

Simmons signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Cubs last offseason and wound up hitting just .173/.244/.187 with four steals in 85 plate appearances. The 32-year-old defensive wizard, who just wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment coming back from a right shoulder strain, has been limited to just 34 games this season due to numerous injuries. Given his defensive prowess, he could easily latch on with a contender as a potential late-inning defensive specialist.

Simmons has been awful at the plate this year, and also has dealt with a right shoulder strain. He has a chance to return for the Cubs at some point in August.