The latest Phillies rumors have them pillaging the Seattle Mariners
Phillies fans went a couple days without a strong batch of Phillies rumors, but one finally came across regarding the Seattle Mariners fire sale. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported that Philadelphia is one of several teams who have interest in Mariners shortstop Jean Segura and closer Edwin Diaz, who led the league with 57 saves and finished eighth in the Cy Young.
Segura is well accustomed to being the subject of trade rumors having been traded three times since July 201. He was first moved from Los Angeles to Milwaukee for Zach Greinke, then from the Brewers to Arizona for Aaron Hill. Two years ago he found himself in Seattle with Mitch Haniger and former Phillie Zac Curtis in the Taijuan Walker trade.
Due to turn 29 in March, Segura is an intriguing player for the Phillies to have rumored interest in going into the winter meetings. He’s a potential backup plan for any team that doesn’t land Manny Machado in free agency in a relatively weak free agent class.
Freddy Galvis, Jose Iglesias, and Adieny Hechavaria won’t move the needle for most teams when it comes to offense. Segura, on the other hand, has become a very consistent hitter who gets on base a lot.
In his last three years for the Mariners and Diamondbacks Segura has hit .308 and averaged 2.5 strikeouts per walk. He had 116 more hits than games played in that span, but 82% of his hits were singles.
Segura has also been limited defensively to shortstop, playing 84% of his career games there outside of a one-year stint at second for Arizona.
Last year Segura had an impressive 4.3 WAR, which would have led all Phillies hitters last year and been second to Aaron Nola overall. In fact, Segura’s WAR was better than the Phillies top two hitters (Santana and Cesar Hernandez) combined.
Prior to the 2017 season, Segura signed a five-year $70 million extension with Seattle, leaving about $60 million left on his deal after two years with $14.85 owed each year for four years. There’s also a $17 million team option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. That’s a lot of money owed to a shortstop, but Segura appears to be in this prime coming off another productive season that was rewarded with an All-Star appearance.
Segura will cost a lot in terms of prospects given his sustained success and controllability. Is he worth a top arm like Adonis Medina or JoJo Romero, or a big bat like Adam Haseley or Jhaylin Ortiz?
I’m not ready to back up the truck for Segura, but he’s certainly an upgrade for the Phillies at shortstop. He’d be a reliable bat who can get on base and doesn’t strike out a lot for the next four seasons.
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Segura is likely a backup option for the Phillies if they can’t get Machado, and while he doesn’t bring the same power as Machado he brings a steady presence to the lineup.
J.P Crawford would likely be in a deal for Segura along with one or two prospects. Despite being one of the best prospects in baseball Crawford hasn’t hit enough or stayed healthy to secure the starting shortstop job.
Haseley could be another player moved, as could Nick Williams if the Phillies can’t move Rhys Hoskins out of left and add Bryce Harper in right.
Expect the Phillies rumors surrounding Segura to linger through the winter meetings and until someone gets a deal is done with Machado.