Categories: 2020 Offseason

Jean Segura’s defensive versatility gives Phillies a variety of options this offseason

Jean Segura’s ability to play three infield positions not only helps the Philadelphia Phillies during the season — it gives them a wide variety of options as they look to build a roster this offseason.

It’s unclear what position Jean Segura will play in 2021. (Cheryl Pursell)

Segura excelled at second base this past season, played a solid third base and is still capable of manning shortstop. This allows the Phillies to pursue free agents at any of those positions, with the 30-year-old being able to fill in at one that isn’t upgraded.

After a relatively disappointing 2019 season both offensively and defensively, Segura found success on both sides of the ball in 2020. He switched from shortstop to third base early in the season with the team’s addition of Didi Gregorius, but spent most of the season playing second base when the team called up Alec Bohm to play third. He also filled in at shortstop at points during the year.

The veteran infielder shined as primarily a second baseman in 2020. In addition to his .769 OPS, Segura posted three defensive runs saved in just 239 1/3 innings at second base. He also had two DRS in 179 2/3 innings at third base, which is especially noteworthy since it was his first experience at the position.

Segura was not as successful in limited time at shortstop this season, and had negative four DRS playing shortstop full-time in 2019. It seems to be his worst position at this point in his career, though Segura isn’t a disaster at the position.

Assuming there is a DH in the National League that Bohm could play next season, the Phillies could target third basemen, shortstops and second basemen in the free-agent and trade markets. Although second base is probably the ideal spot for Segura, the team could still look at other second basemen knowing that they have someone who can play shortstop or third.

The Phillies could now potentially look to sign free agents such as shortstops Gregorius and Marcus Semien, second basemen César Hernández and Jonathan Schoop or third basemen Jake Lamb and Brad Miller.

A team with a regular second baseman probably do not have the luxury of looking into players at all three positions for one spot. But with the emergence of Segura as a defensive weapon, the Phillies can stay flexible in their approach.