The Marlins and infielder Jean Segura reached an agreement yesterday on a two-year deal with a club option for 2025. Since Segura has primarily played second base over the past three seasons, it was speculated that the club might be planning to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. from second to short, thus moving shortstop Miguel Rojas to the bench or the trading block. However, Jim Bowden of The Athletic relays word from manager Skip Schumaker that the plan is to play Segura at third base, something that had also been suggested by Craig Mish of The Miami Herald earlier today.
Segura began his major league career as a shortstop, playing exclusively at that position in the 2012-2015 seasons. In 2016, the Diamondbacks acquired Segura from the Brewers and moved him over to regular second base duty, with Nick Ahmed the primary shortstop in Arizona. After one season with the Snakes, Segura was then traded to the Mariners, who moved him back to shortstop for 2017 and 2018, the only position he played for those two seasons. A trade to the Phillies led to one more season of exclusively playing shortstop in 2019.
The Phillies signed Didi Gregorius to be their primary shortstop going into 2020 and bumped Segura off regular duty there. He’s only logged 17 1/3 innings at short over the last three seasons. In 2020, he split his time almost evenly between second and third, with 239 1/3 innings at the keystone and 179 2/3 innings at the hot corner. That is the extent of his third base experience to date, as he spent almost all of 2021 and 2022 at second.
There’s certainly risk here for the Marlins in playing Segura at a position where he has so little experience. He’s generally been as an above-average defensive second baseman in his time there and moving him somewhere new raises the possibility that he’s not as valuable with the glove. In that brief spell at third in 2020, Segura got positive reviews from advanced defensive metrics, but in a small sample size that’s hard to draw meaningful conclusions from. In terms of arm strength, it would appear Segura won’t have a problem with the move. His throws averaged 86.5 mph in 2022, second among second baseman with only Romy González ahead of him. If he could make the throws from third with the same kind of velocity, he would have ranked 11th on the third base arm strength list.
While it’s a bit of a gamble moving Segura around, it’s understandable why they would want a stable veteran presence there. Brian Anderson had moved between third and the outfield for many years but seemed to lock down the hot corner in 2020, starting 55 of the club’s 60 games in the shortened season. However, injuries limited his workload and performance in the two seasons since, leading the club to use a hodgepodge of utility players at the position. In 2022, each of Anderson, Joey Wendle and Jon Berti made at least 34 starts at third, with youngsters Jordan Groshans and Charles Leblanc getting 17 and 13, respectively. Another handful of players got smaller tries at the position, with Luke Williams, Willians Astudillo, Erik González and Joe Dunand each getting at least one start.
As a season goes along, injuries will force any club to deviate from their plans, but it seems the club hopes to have Chisholm, Rojas and Segura lined up next to each other as much as possible. Segura’s ability to play second base also gives the club cover if Chisholm deals with injuries again in 2023, as a stress fracture in his back kept him from appearing after late June of 2022. He also underwent surgery on a torn right meniscus in September. Though he’s expected to be ready for Spring Training, Segura gives them a way to pivot in the event of some kind of setback or recurrence.
Of course, it’s always possible that the Marlins are indeed shopping Rojas as some have speculated and this talk of Segura taking over third base is merely bluster those talks progress. But on the surface, it seems like utility players like Wendle and Berti, as well as the young Groshans, currently have a less clear path to playing time. It has recently been reported that the Red Sox have discussed both Wendle and Rojas in trade talks with the Marlins, and it’s possible those conversations are revisited now that Miami has added Segura into the mix, which could change Miami’s plans if a deal comes together.
I’m telling you Gleyber Torres would look really good out there, playing 2nd base for the Marlins in 2023. Make it happen Fish!
The hot corner? He has played only 179 innings there in his career. This isn’t like the outfield, where you can just swap guys occasionally and be fine. Reaction, arm strength, and other stuff matter. This GM is unqualified to know anything.
What does that mean for joey ?
Trade
Super sub?
Trade
Don’t wanna make Rojas mad, let him lose the position or bounce back.
Marlins have to get Berti and his plus speed in the lineup.
They should use Berti and Wendle in a platoon at 3B.. Trade Miggy Ro. Move Chisholm to SS and play Segura at 2B. Berti is also servicable in LF and I would think Wendle can handle 1B if given the chance to backup Cooper. Gotta love the positional flexibility of this team. Still badly need at least 1 power bat though.
I agree about playing Segura at 2B. Even though he didn’t hit last season, Rojas is by far the best defensive SS on the squad. Berti is useless at any position.
Speed is only valuable if you have a high OBP.
I like it.
As a likely fourth place team, Jean should be flipped for a quality position player prospect by mid-season. Until them, it is a nice acquisition at a sensible price. Not like paying Correa to play 3B, which could be a difference-maker in the 2023 division race but is getting 60 cents on the dollar if he’s out of position.
Oooooookeeeeeeyyyyy
I don’t know.
Seems like Jeter was wise to extricate himself from the Marlin’s dumpster fire.
He didn’t extricate himself, he was forceably removed. Booted to the curb. Along with Denbo and Mattingly.
He and his Yankees buddies created the mess the Marlins are in today.
Lol what mess did he create? Seems like the Marlins are staying the course they have always been on. Jeter came in with the intention to win and that was a serious problem for the Marlins ownerships group bc they aren’t here to win they are here to collect their share of revenue from the large market teams.
Not so sure that’s accurate
Kim Ng to the rescue. Now this team is ready to rock.
Nottingham’s got one note and this is it.
They’ll prolly flip him at the “allstate break”.
The intern responsible for dictating my free agent postings has already been dismissed. The rest of my team has been put on notice. My brand can survive a few public relation hits but I didn’t build my empire to watch it crumble because I hired someone who slipped through the vetting process.
I don’t think his arm strength is suited for 3B, but he’s a solid fielder.
Von;
I ‘ve always thought he was a better 3B than 2B…especially after he was moved from SS.
Arm strength at 3B is overrated. The only time it comes into play is when the 3B goes over the bag into foul territory after catching a fair ball, and has to make a throw from there. But an average runner will beat the throw anyway. If the ball comes at the 3B too fast and it hits off him, a strong arm helps, but where he deflected the ball to is more important – if he keeps it around his body he should be able to get an average runner at 1B. And the play where he cuts in front of the SS and throws to 1B or 2B is going to be easier as his momentum is to the base and the throw is shorter than from 3B. A strong arm helps in bunts, but the 3B’s quickness to the ball, scooping it up in one motion and throwing is what’s most important.
Compare that to the territory a 2B will now have to cover with the shift pretty much mothballed, and Segura will find 3B easier to play than 2B. Can also add in that he’s not making double play throws, or acting as a cutoff man from the RF where he may have to make a throw.
Many baseball people feel that 3B and LF are the easiest positions to play. Before the DH teams used to hide their quality catchers there for a game or two to give them a rest.
Segura’s arm is perfectly good though. Certainly strong enough for 2B. He should be
fine at 3B once he gets used to the angles. Has only played there for 20 games back in 2020 in his entire professional career.
20 more games than Correa, who’s getting much more to make the switch under a much brighter microscope. Its a good move for the Mets, but a bad move for Ng. Go figure.
@ Styme Comparing a guy who hasn’t played SS regularly in years to one of the defensive best SS in the league, with possibly the best SS arm. I seriously hope you’re joking or trolling.
This versatility will help the Fish find a solid trading partner this summer.
That’s a tough switch to go from 2nd, short, over to 3rd. The angle and throw is entirely different.
He should top 20 errors very easily.
I’m far from an expert, but I’m not so worried about Segura’s glove at 3B as his bat. I wonder if his bat really plays at 3B, long considered a “power-hitting” position? I’m not saying he’s a bad hitter, just when stacked up against other 3B, and half his games in that park, nothing pops out at me
After going “under the hood”, I will correct myself and say I can see him bringing some speed-I have to assume Schumacher is going to run more than Mattingly-and doubles gap power and above league average batting average.
I thought that he looked really solid at third in 2020…much better than I expected at the time that they had to make that switch. Yeah, the arm strength is hardly ideal for over there and will keep him from making a few plays at times, but he had a really quick release and that can make up for a lot.
It isn’t as if the Marlins are shopping in the Bugattie aisle right now…he should give them a middle of the pack 3B with some flexibility, and given their offense he should be a real sparkplug. I am going to hate it when he comes up with one of his patented slap line drives to right center to drive in the winning run against us at some point next season.
U r gonna be traded Jean. I’m sure he knows. Guaranteed contention if you perform
Such hostility in the comments over this move. This isn’t the Reds moving Moustakes to 2B, it’s not the worst move they could’ve made.
It’s not horrible. It might not be the best approach, but it’s not horrible.
Also, it’s not necessarily set in stone. Either Wendle or Rojas could be traded to Boston any minute. And neither Wendle nor Rojas would prevent a shakeup if, say, Groshans proves MLB-ready sometime soon, or if Pablo Lopez were to net a slugging third baseman (Nolan Gorman).
And then maybe Segura slides over to short. Or he goes to second and Chisholm slides to short.
Or maybe it allows them to trade Chisholm for a CF!
Omg these guys are idiots. Great signing followed by idiotic execution. The point of this move should have been to boost the offense. Rojas adds no value offensively. Just should plug this guy into second and Jazz at short since Jazz is suppose to be a plus defender there anyways. The Groshans kid and the other dude both looked pretty good at third last year considering it was their first taste. 17 million for nothing if you’re not actually boosting the offense by leaving the liability in place.
Chisholm was moved to 2B for a reason. Lets not make him the next Gleyber.
Jazz being moved had nothing to do with him. They wanted Rojas glove in the field and they thought Jazz would acclimate better at second. Jazz glove at SS and his athleticism was his calling card when they acquired him. I’m not aware of anyone ever calling Torres a good defender..at short or second honestly
That is interesting. I thought the knock on Segura as a SS was his arm. That issue would be exacerbated moving to 3B.
Marlins 20 GB and it’s 29 December….
Segura has a good bat, nice pickup.
I truly believe they said Segura will play 3B just to say whatever right now. The FO must have a trade close to executing where either Rojas, Wendle, Leblanc or Berti are involved. The puzzle will be solved in coming days.
But even if no trade happens, I personally feel like Jean should play 2B, Jazz SS and a platoon 3B between Wendle, Berti and Leblanc. It just feels more natural.
Groshans will start the season at AAA, barring injuries.
I believe that Wendle will be traded within a month.
Chisholm at 2B, Rojas at SS, and Segura at 3B.
NL East is too stacked right now with Mets, Phillies and Atlanta. Miami needs to build their team to be a wild card contender in a couple years. I think they keep their pitching unless they can get a MLB overall top 50 prospect for their future. Segura gets flipped for a prospect mid-season hopefully Soler does well enough to get flipped or opt out. Health of Meyers and Sanchez could help.
With the right moves this offseason, I think the Marlins stand a chance to compete in 2024. This year is is more about getting closer to .500.
Trading for a CF, signing two bullpen pieces and hoping rebound seasons from Soler and García will make the team decent. Next year Eury Pérez, Max Meyer and probably an impactful FA can make the team push for a Wild Card spot. Good thing there are 3 spots now.
The problem with MIA is that Segura’s now the 2nd best hitter on the team regardless of where he plays. Not for nothing but DJL and IKF play a fine 3b and both have limited experience there. Not GG’s but they don’t hurt you.
I thought Boston would have signed Segura
Rojas can’t hit and won’t be an everyday player. If Wendle is a Marlin come opening day, he’ll be the starting shortstop vs. RHP. Rojas will platoon vs. lefties. It’s amazing how often these writers get this stuff wrong. Same thing was written about Fletcher on the Angels. He’s not gonna start either anymore with all the new pieces they got.
If the starting shortstop comes down to Rojas and Wendell Miggy gets it over Joey I am confident
Dear goodness. The stupidity with the Marlins continues.
We’ll have a 3B with a weaker arm than our 2B and SS, and perhaps our 1B as well.
It is still December, a lot can change in three months
I hope so. It took us nearly two months for us to make a significant addition.
I assume that this is a ham-fisted to drum up non-existent interest in Rojas, but otherwise makes absolutely -0- sense.