Since the July 30 trade deadline, the Baltimore Orioles dipped into a loaded farm system to use young infielders as trade pieces and injury replacements. With the impressive depth tested so quickly in the heat of a division race, the organization did not wait to add reinforcements. On Friday, the Orioles signed infielder Jean Segura to a minor league deal.
The Orioles have signed infielder Jean Segura to a minor league contract, the club announced.
Segura, a 12-year veteran and two-time All-Star, last played in the majors in 2023 with the Miami Marlins, posting a .556 OPS in 85 games.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) August 9, 2024
The two-time All-Star last appeared in the majors last year with the Miami Marlins. However, he was traded to and immediately released by the Cleveland Guardians at last summer’s deadline. Segura has been without a job since his release and will likely join Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate.
Baltimore Orioles Sign All Star Infielder Jean Segura
The Orioles chose to sign Segura to supplement organizational infield depth following an injury to Jordan Westburg. Westburg will miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the regular season. In his absence, Baltimore will increase its reliance on recently promoted infield prospects Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo. This comes days after dealing another top infield prospect to acquire Trevor Rogers.
Segura is coming off an awful showing in Miami last year. In 85 games, he hit .219/.277/.279 (50 OPS+) with poor contact quality and bad defense. Though he didn’t strike out much and made contact when he swung, his production was by far the worst of his career.
In his four prior years (all with the Philadelphia Phillies), Segura was a league-average offensive contributor (102 OPS+) while playing multiple infield positions. Despite having a 12-year career to this point, Segura is still just 34. While players have declined at younger ages in the past, his significant struggles at 33 could have been an aberration.
Where were you when Jean Segura sent the Cardinals into a rebuild pic.twitter.com/hZl5Y6a7Jg
— ????? シ (@BSP_Sully) August 27, 2023
Perhaps taking a calendar year away from affiliated ball rejuvenated Segura and will give his career a second life. If not, no worries for Baltimore. Though the youngsters have a higher upside than Segura, the veteran is more established in both the regular and post-seasons.
The Orioles will sign Segura to a very low-risk deal. The veteran, along with recent signee J.D. Davis, will represent reclamation projects and veteran insurance if the young Orioles can’t stick it in the majors.
Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
