I guess Hart really just wants a reset and thinks it is easier to get high end pitching through a trade for multiple good to very good guys while they're in the minors than to buy as a free agent and watch him decline (JZ warning). Aybar is flippable if this is another down year in Atlanta.
The funny thing is, while it clears long term commitments, Simmons wasn't dramatically expensive over the next 5 years. His contract will generate value because they don't pay him much while he is the best D guy in MLB. While Simmons is great defensively, maybe he thinks there's always a good glove SS available, and Simmons O has not contributed anything. I guess they don't want to be holding Simmons at 30 / 31, owing him $28MM, and have his defense maybe decline to very good from spectacular.
