According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired shortstop Jean Segura, righty Juan Nicasio, and lefty James Pazos from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford.
Segura has been solid offensively the past couple of seasons. Over the past two years, his combined 7.2 offensive WAR is eleventh best amongst all middle infielders. He is also coming off a 2018 campaign in which he hit .304/.341/.415 with 10 home runs, 29 doubles, 91 runs, and 20 stolen bases.
Segura has four years remain and is owed $58 million under his current contract. He also has a $17 million team option for the 2023 season.
Nicasio has been a pretty reliable reliever during his eight year big league career. However, as Mariners manager Scott Servais put it Nicasio was a bit “unlucky” in 2018. He posted a 6.00 ERA, but averaged 11.5 K/9, and 1.1 BB/9 in 46 games. Nicasio is owed $9 million of his two year, $17 million deal in 2019.
Pazos is a 27-year old lefty from the University of San Diego. The Mariners acquired him from the Yankees prior to the 2017 season. Since then, he has been a phenomenal asset in the Seattle bullpen. Over 103 innings, Pazos has posted a 3.39 ERA with 110 strikeouts
In Crawford, the Mariners are acquiring a 24-year old former top prospect. During his time in Philly, Crawford never quite scratched his full potential. In 72 games across two big league seasons, he hit just .214/.333/.358 with three home runs, six doubles, and 12 RBI.
Santana is more a salary dump for the Phillies. Over the next two seasons, he is owed a combined $40 million in guaranteed money. In 2018, the 32-year old missed just one game and hit .229/.352/.414 with 28 doubles, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI.
As Sherman notes, by moving Santana the Phillies can now shift Rhys Hoskins to first where he is better and more comfortable defensively, thus opening up a spot in the outfield for a free agent.
