HOUSTON — Jean Segura has enjoyed playing in front of the boisterous crowds at Citizens Bank Park for four seasons, and is hopeful to continue doing so in red pinstripes beyond what’s turned into a magical 2022 season.
It took the 32-year-old until his 11th big league season to reach the postseason, and he was especially complimentary of what it’s been like to play at Citizens Bank Park in front of five sellout crowds this postseason en route to the World Series.
“This is special,” Segura said at World Series Media Day Thursday. “They love the players, that’s why they call them the City of [Brotherly] Love. And to be honest, there’s nothing more special than playing in front of Phillies fans. They love you from top to bottom and to be able to get that feeling of electricity out there every single day and every evening, even before the game starts, that’s amazing, man. It’s just a pleasure to be able to play in front of those amazing fans.”
The World Series will shift back to Citizens Bank Park next Monday for Game 3. If there’s a sweep, there will only be two games at Citizens Bank Park. At most, there will be three World Series games in Philadelphia.
And from there, Segura’s future is uncertain.
2022 is the final guaranteed year of a five-year/$70 million deal that Segura initially signed with the Seattle Mariners. The Phillies have a $17 million club option for Segura in 2023. Segura remains a productive player, but only two second baseman in baseball — Marcus Semien and Jose Altuve — currently make more than $15.2 million annually. It would be relatively surprising if Segura is back in 2023 at the $17 million price.
Segura is aware of the uncertainty around his future, and hopeful the World Series doesn’t represent the end of his tenure with the Phillies. But the former All-Star’s focus isn’t on his contractual status right now.
“I would love to finish my career in Philadelphia, and I don’t really think about that right now,” Segura said. “All my focus is to go into the World Series and get four more wins and hopefully get a champagne [celebration] and bring another ring to the Phillies and to the city.”
The good news for Segura is that if the Phillies decline his $17 million club option, he’ll get a $1 million buyout. He’ll have no problem getting a Major League deal for 2023 (and perhaps even beyond) on the open market.
But, it’s entirely possible that the Phillies decline Segura’s $17 million option and attempt to bring him back at a lower price for another season or two, on top of the buyout.
With that said, Bryson Stott has demonstrated an ability to play second base at a high level, in addition to his natural position of shortstop. There’s a star-studded class of free-agent shortstops looming, and the Phillies have already been connected to Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts. It’s not hard to make a case for the Phillies being suitors for Dansby Swanson or Carlos Correa as well. Signing any of them would all but assure Segura doesn’t return in 2023.
But there will be a time and place for Segura and the Phillies to talk about what, if anything, comes next in their relationship. And however that conversation goes, all parties involved will be a lot happier if it comes after a parade.
“After the season, we’ll address that. If we keep moving forward, if we stay here, cool,” Segura said of his future. “If not, I’ll have to talk to my agents and see who wants me, what teams want Jean Segura’s services.
“But right now, my focus is going to those games right here and leaving everything on the field to help this team win a title.”
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