Jean Segura Trade Is Just What Arizona Diamondbacks Needed

It’s hard to deny that the Arizona Diamondbacks have had an impressive offseason. However, while the Diamondbacks did well to upgrade their rotation, they had declined to do anything about their light hitting middle infield — that is, until now. In a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona acquired shortstop Jean Segura, a good addition to their middle infield and the perfect way to cap off a great offseason by the Diamondbacks.

Before acquiring Segura, the Diamondbacks were slated to enter the 2016 season with Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings in the middle infield, with Aaron Hill being the primary infield backup. Ahmed, despite being strong defensively, posted a .634 OPS last season, with Owings even worse at .587, putting a substantial hole in an otherwise potent lineup. Despite a couple of down years, Segura has a much higher upside offensively than either one, proving so in 2013 by hitting .294/.329/.423 with double digits in doubles, triples and home runs.

Segura gives the Diamondbacks more options and flexibility in their middle infield and at least one player who has proven themselves to be a productive hitter at the major league level. Despite the power in their lineup elsewhere, the Diamondbacks will need to get something offensively out their middle infield, and Segura is the best bet to provide that.

The acquisition of Segura is also great because the Diamondbacks didn’t have to give up much in the deal. With Segura added to their middle infield, they no longer need Hill and they’ve relieved themselves of a big chunk of the $12 million he’ll make in 2016, a fee far too high for a backup, especially after adding significant payroll with Zack Greinke. Prospect Isan Diaz is still a teenager and years away from the majors, and his ceiling is likely that of an average major league second baseman. Chase Anderson was also expendable considering the upgrades Arizona made to its rotation and the promising contingent of pitching prospects in their farm system, including Tyler Wagner, who they also acquired from the Brewers.

Obviously, there’s no guarantee that Segura can return to the form he had in 2013, but if he does he can give Arizona’s lineup a considerable boost. He has a higher upside offensively than anyone the Diamondbacks currently have in their middle infield. Considering what they gave up to make the trade, acquiring Segura was a great move by the Diamondbacks and exactly what they needed to complete an exceptional offseason.