Jean Segura: Contract Extension?
The Phillies aren’t the only ones with a playoff drought on the line this September. Their second baseman, Jean Segura, has never played meaningful baseball in October in his 11 year big league career. It’s personal for him––he’s been waiting his entire career for the opportunity to make an impact in the postseason, and his play recently has been indicative of him wanting to seize the moment.
On Tuesday, Segura was in the batters box before JT Realmuto knew he had been intentionally walked with the winning run on second base in the ninth inning of a tied game. Segura proceeded to line an 0-1 pitch into right field, scoring Bryce Harper to walk it off for the Phils. He flipped his bat so high in the air that it was visible as the camera angle flipped to show Marlins right fielder Avisail Garcia come up short on his throw to the plate. Following the safe call at home, Segura shouted expletives towards the Marlins’ bench for the disrespect of walking Realmuto to get to him. Indeed, it’s personal for Segura––who is also in a contract year.
After the final out of the season, the Phillies will make the decision of whether to accept Segura’s $17 million club option or not. If accepted, Segura’s salary will count for only about $14 million against the luxury tax threshold since that figure is equivalent to the average annual value of his contract. The club’s current projected payroll for the 2023 season, according to Spotrac, is about $130 million––significantly lower than the team’s $252 million payroll this season. With the 2023 luxury tax scheduled for a $3 million increase to $233 million, the Phillies certainly have enough wiggle room to make several acquisitions. However, how and where to spend that money may be a better question.
For the upcoming season, the Phillies will have multiple vacancies in the bullpen and a hole in the middle infield. The relief pitching free agent market will likely flourish with Edwin Diaz, Kenley Jansen, Taylor Rogers, and others expected to be looking for new contracts. The middle infield market is relatively bare with Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, and Carlos Correa (player option) the only big names available. According to a USA Today report from Bob Nightengale in June, several talent evaluators believe Trea Turner, who’s slashing .304/.348/.478 with 56 extra base hits and 91 RBIs this season, will wind up signing with the Phillies to team up with former teammate, Bryce Harper. There certainly will be smoke––and possibly a few sparks––this free agency season regarding the reunion, but signing Turner would be costly. He’ll likely command a contract similar to Corey Seager’s 10 year $325 million deal he signed this past offseason with the Rangers. Though Turner would be a great fit, for a team already filled with nine figure contracts, it may not be the wisest choice as it will handicap future spending opportunities for the organization. So that brings us back to the club’s current second baseman, Jean Segura.
The 32-year-old veteran is hitting .283/.340/.412 in 75 games entering this weekend’s series against the Nationals. Coupled with his usually impressive defense at second base, he has seemed to consistently come up with big hits when the team needs them the most. But, possibly just as important as his play on the field, Segura has been a leader in the clubhouse. He and rookie shortstop Bryson Stott’s relationship has blossomed throughout the season as Segura challenged Stott to continue his no-stride approach without two strikes. In addition, Segura has lent a helping hand to newcomer Edmundo Sosa, as detailed by Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Though he may not be worth the $17 million club option, it would behoove the Phillies to not at least start dialogue with him on a new contract.
That deal could be something similar to what the Phillies gave Didi Gregorious prior to the 2020 offseason. A short, multi-year contract worth somewhere between $12-16 million a year to be a consistent hitter who carries a little spark with him. This contract would give the Phils enough flexibility to acquire other premium talent to fill out the roster both next year and in following seasons. If President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski opts to go this route, let’s just hope it works out better than it did for Gregorious, who was released on August 4th.
Nevertheless, the Phillies have a playoff spot to secure. The club isn’t worried about anything other than breaking the decade-long drought that has haunted the organization. Segura’s play over the next month may not be the deciding factor on the team making it to October, but it will be crucial towards supplementing the middle of the lineup’s production, as it has been over his tenure in Philadelphia. Here’s to hoping he’ll make his postseason debut as a Phillie, and maybe win a ring with the club, too.
Photo: Rich Schultz/Getty Images
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Categorized:Phillies