Phillies infielder Jean Segura is getting some attention in trade talks, per a report from RADIO.com MLB Insider Jon Heyman. The Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams who have an interest in Segura, per Fansided’s Robert Murray.
Segura, who will turn 31 next March, is coming off a solid 2020 campaign in which he slashed .266/.347/.422. He also showed defensive versatility, playing multiple games at second base, third base and shortstop.
The Phillies acquired Segura in a trade prior to the 2019 season that sent first baseman Carlos Santana and former top prospect J.P. Crawford to the Seattle Mariners. Segura disappointed in his first season with the Phillies, slashing .280/.323/.420.
Additionally, Segura appeared to have lost a step at shortstop and the Phillies made it a point to move him off the position in 2020. But Segura performed well at all three positions he played, and his versatility appeared to be a big plus to give the Phillies optionality in this offseason.
Segura is under contract for $14.25 million for each of the next two seasons and has a club-option for $17 million in 2023. If the Phillies do trade Segura, it will have implications on the rest of their offseason as it will create a clear hole at shortstop with no immediate in-house answers.
It also would mean there is a higher chance the Phillies intend to rely on Scott Kingery, who struggled greatly last season, to play second base full-time in 2021 and beyond.
The Phillies still have yet to hire a new front office executive since Matt Klentak stepped down in October. However, Heyman’s report implies that they are still operating on the trade front with Ned Rice as the interim general manager while they continue to search for a new president of baseball operations.