MIAMI – The Marlins on Wednesday night agreed to terms with infielder Jean Segura on a two-year, $17 million deal, a source told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the news.
Segura represents Miami’s first Major League free-agent signing during an offseason dominated by its National League East rivals executing high-profile moves. The Marlins hoped to bolster their lineup, which finished with the third-fewest runs in 2022.
An 11-year MLB veteran and two-time All-Star, Segura has a career slash line of .285/.330/.408 with 232 doubles, 45 triples, 107 homers and 250 stolen bases. He had been a familiar foe, playing for Philadelphia over the past four seasons. Until this past October, Segura had been the active leader for most regular-season games played without reaching the playoffs.
On the heels of their run to the World Series, the Phillies declined their $17 million club option on Segura for 2023, instead paying him a $1 million buyout. That made Segura a free agent for the first time, heading into his age-33 season.
General manager Kim Ng has previously mentioned the club’s desire to find contact-oriented bats, and Segura fits that profile. He finished in the 86th percentile in whiff percentage and 88th percentile in K percentage in 2022. On defense, Segura ranked in the 84th percentile in Outs Above Average.
Though Segura has spent most of his career at shortstop, he has predominantly appeared at second base since 2021. He has started 253 games at second base over the past three seasons and produced plus-16 Outs Above Average there, third most in MLB over that span, and he has also played 24 games at third base — all in ‘20.
Miami’s infield features Miguel Rojas, Joey Wendle and Jazz Chisholm Jr.; all three can play both middle-infield spots, with veterans Rojas and Wendle also able to man the hot corner. The Marlins non-tendered Brian Anderson, their homegrown third baseman from 2017-22, on Nov. 18. Rojas and Wendle are only under club control through the 2023 season.
Segura, who turns 33 in March, recorded 1.7 fWAR in 2022, and Steamer projects him at 2.5 WAR in ‘23.
