Philadelphia Phillies: 3 trade partners for Jean Segura

The Philadelphia Phillies could move Jean Segura to Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays are rumored to be one of the more aggressive teams this offseason, seemingly having a hand in every big name free agent from George Springer to J.T. Realmuto.

Toronto has a young core and sees an opportunity to take a step forward in a typically dominant American League East. With the Red Sox taking a step back, the Orioles rebuilding, and the Yankees losing some key players, Toronto can compete for a division title.

With the young core of Vlad Guerrero, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio the Blue Jays infield is almost set. With Segura, they have a player who can play second or shortstop and proved last year he can play third base. This would fill Toronto’s hole at third base with Travis Shaw entering free agency and give them options if Bichette or Biggio go on the injured list.

Because the Blue Jays have all of these young players, their payroll is relatively low, just $70 million right now. Adding Springer would liikely push that into the upper $80 million this year, but they could afford to take some of Segura’s contract.

The return for Segura would depend on how much money Philadelphia eats; the better the prospect, the more money stays on the Phillies’ books. Toronto doesn’t have many large contracts, but if the Phillies had to take back some money they might look at  center fielder Randal Grichuk, who is owed about as much as Segura over an extra year. That would spread the money out and ultimately save Philadelphia $4.5 million in 2021 and 2022.

Philadelphia could send Toronto Adam Haseley or Roman Quinn in the deal to give Tornoto another cheap young player in their lineup.

Only 29-years-old, Grichuk’s defense has declined over the last two years, going from a +11 from 2016-18 to -15 over the last two years. Traditionally he hasn’t hit for a fantastic average, but you’re getting 30 home run power from a center fielder who has played the other outfield spots before.

Grichuk isn’t the perfect fit, but financially he balances out Segura’s contract. if the Phillies don’t want him, they could pay up for a mid-level arm such as Eric Pardinho.

All three of these teams make sense for moving Segura and his contract, but the Blue Jays one sounds the most likely of the three.