ESPN’s Keith Law: Expect Diamondbacks to regret Jean Segura trade

The Arizona Diamondbacks are selling their trade for shortstop Jean Segura as an offensive upgrade, but ESPN Insider’s Keith Law isn’t buying the deal with the Brewers.

On Saturday, the D-backs traded the Brewers infielder Aaron Hill, back-of-the-rotation pitcher Chase Anderson and prospect Isan Diaz for Segura and starting pitcher Tyler Wagner. Arizona also sent Milwaukee cash.

But Law doesn’t see Segura as a shortstop, where the Diamondbacks already have one of the best defensive players at the position in Nick Ahmed. The D-backs could also play Segura at second base, but Chris Owings is already a capable option there.

At the plate, Law doesn’t consider Segura a plus, a notion that doesn’t match Arizona general manager Dave Stewart’s belief that he could be a replacement for departed lead-off hitter Ender Inciarte.

Stewart specifically cited losing Inciarte in the Shelby Miller trade as a reason Arizona made the move to acquire Segura.

Law isn’t the only one questioning the deal for these reasons.

Who bats 9th for Diamondbacks on Opening Day? Zack Greinke, last 3 years: .249/.300/.357. Jean Segura, last 3 years: .267/.300/.364.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) January 31, 2016

In wins over replacement player terms, Law points out that Segura is barely a major-leaguer.

The highlights of Segura’s resume would point to a strong first half of his 2013 season, but after that there is not much to be impressed with, Law writes.

Segura had a huge first half for Milwaukee in 2013, hitting for unexpected power that couldn’t and didn’t last; since that year’s All-Star break, he has hit .250/.282/.328 in 1,367 plate appearances, which puts him way below the MLB average for shortstops in 2015 (.260/.308/.380). In fact, only two full-time shortstops in 2015 had lower OBPs than Segura did … and he’s replacing one of them in Nick Ahmed (.275). But at least Ahmed can play the heck out of shortstop, whereas Segura is below average, if you’re charitable.

More painfully in the deal, the Diamondbacks gave up a promising prospect — a trend of Stewart’s trades in the past year.

Diaz was ranked the No. 14 prospect in the D-backs’ organization.

Indeed, Arizona saved money by ridding itself of Hill’s contract, and it’s worth mentioning that the 25-year-old Segura could improve at the plate while working under manager Chip Hale.

With Hale prioritizing smart defense over all else, perhaps Segura will make or break his opportunity by impressing in the infield this spring.

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