Former Phillies infielder Jean Segura is hitting free agency for the second time in only eight months.
After a majorly disappointing start to the 2023 season for the Miami Marlins, the 12-year veteran was traded to Cleveland, along with shortstop prospect Khalil Watson, ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell. The Guardians announced that they would release Segura, allowing him to sign with any club.
The starting second baseman for the 2022 National League-champion Phillies with a number of huge moments during his first career postseason run, Segura became a free agent this past winter. As the Phillies filled his spot in the infield with shortstop Trea Turner and shifted Bryson Stott to second, it became clear that he would have a new home in 2023. In January, Miami signed Segura to a two-year deal with a team option for 2025 to become its starting third baseman.
Segura’s Marlins tenure was unsuccessful from the start as the 33-year-old slashed just .200/.234/.222 in the first month of the season. He didn’t hit his first home run until June, and his best month in Miami came in July when he still posted only a .668 OPS. In 85 games with his new team, Segura batted just .219/.277/.279 (54 OPS+) with three home runs, five doubles and two triples.
With the Marlins tied for the third NL wild-card spot heading into deadline day and Segura not producing, the team opted to move on and bolster its lineup with the addition of Bell. The Guardians decided to add Watson to their system, but eat the remainder of Segura’s contract.
Now that Segura is a free agent once again, could a return to Philadelphia be in the cards? The fit doesn’t seem to make it all that likely.
While Segura was a regular for the Phillies from 2019 through last season, their infield is fairly locked in with little flexibility as Bryce Harper is only playing first base as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Utility infielder Josh Harrison, who had been on the Phillies bench, was designated for assignment earlier on Tuesday, but the team added Rodolfo Castro from Pittsburgh to fill a similar role.
That leaves no obvious role for an old friend in Segura, who would likely prefer a destination with more of a path for regular playing time at this stage in his career — if that is even out there at this point. However, it’s still too early to tell how long the veteran infielder will be on the market. Perhaps an injury of some sort could leave the Phillies in need of Segura’s services for a second stint.
What’s more likely. however, is that Segura goes elsewhere, looking to bounce back and finish this career-worst season on a stronger note.
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