Phillies: 3 players who could be dealt in salary dump trades
By Matt Rappa
1. Jean Segura
- 2021 Salary: $14.85 million
- 2022 Salary: $14.85 million
- 2023 Salary: $17 million team option, $1 million buyout
Nine-year veteran infielder Jean Segura has not lived up to potential in a Phillies uniform, ever since the team acquired him in a trade that sent then-top hitting prospect J.P. Crawford and first baseman Carlos Santana to the Seattle Mariners.
After three consecutive seasons batting at least .300 from 2016 to 2018, Segura has yet to do so with the Phillies. His batting average dipped from .280 to .266 between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Meanwhile, Segura’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage did see an increase.
In the field, the Dominican Republic native was versatile, logging innings at second base, shortstop, and third base. He committed just three combined errors spanning 434 1/3 innings. At second base, specifically, Segura did not commit a single error across 239 1/3 innings and 112 chances.
Last week, Phillies manager Joe Girardi told reporters that Segura “definitely has the upper hand” at playing full-time at second base this coming season, adding that he has played “really well there.”
With Didi Gregorius at shortstop, that leaves Scott Kingery as the odd man out for an everyday, set position in the middle infield. Kingery’s natural position has long been said to be second base, but he once again is forced to either earn the starting center field job, or be a super-utility player.
The Phillies reportedly were exploring a Segura trade earlier this offseason. His full no-trade clause may cause problems, but if the Phillies can shed his remaining salary, that would give them a lot to work with while still staying well under the $210 luxury tax mark. Segura is a nice player to have, but he is expendable for the Phillies, especially with Kingery ready and capable to step in.