4 position players the Blue Jays should target as minor league depth

INF Jean Segura

The most decorated name on this list, the two time All-Star could be looking for a minor league deal this winter after a disappointing 2023 campaign. The infielder who revolves his game around contact, speed, and defence has seen areas of his game regress over the last few years.

Segura signed with the Miami Marlins prior to 2023 and was set to platoon at third base. He never really got it going, slashing .219/.277/.279 over 85 games for the Fish. Midseason he was sent in a package to Cleveland in exchange for Josh Bell, but was subsequently released and his 2023 was over.

The once star short-stop is still capable of playing across the infield, spending time at third, second, and short over the past two seasons. Going into his age 34 season, Segura’s range has continued to decline, as he produced -4 outs above average last season and is now in the 52nd percentile in sprint speed. 

Segura’s resistance to striking out still exists, only going down on strikes 14.4% of his plate appearances and whiffing 19.2% of the time. The Marlins brought Segura in with the expectation he’d hit left-handed pitching, as in 2022 he hit .301 against southpaws with a .855 OPS. That’s not quite what they got however, as that batting average fell to .221 (though it was better than his .219 against righties).

Segura’s expected batting average and slugging percentage have all resided in mediocre percentiles the last two seasons, but clearly yielded different on-field results. While destroying lefties in 2022 he was a 105 OPS+ hitter overall, with that number falling to a measly 52 last season. It’s possible there’s still a hitter in Segura that offers a platoon advantage, though its unlikely. 

Segura doesn’t appear to be playing winter ball this season and has yet to sign with a club. He would be an intriguing player to sign to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Should Segura be open to playing minor league baseball for at least some of 2023, he would serve has good infield depth in the Blue Jays organization, and differ amongst others in Buffalo as he’ll have an abundance of MLB experience under his belt.