Mariners lock up shortstop
Jean Segura signs five-year deal in Seattle
The Seattle Mariners signed shortstop Jean Segura to a new five-year contract on Wednesday that brings stability to what has been a position of flux for more than a decade.
Terms of the contract were not released, but reports have the deal being worth
$70 million.
The contract goes from 2018-2022 and includes a club option for the 2023 season.
It takes up the final year that Segura was arbitrationeligible.
He was originally set to become a free agent after the 2018 season.
Segura was the centerpiece of one of Seattle’s biggest offseason moves, being acquired from Arizona as part of a fiveplayer trade.
After leading the National League in hits last season, Segura has not disappointed in his move to the American League.
Despite two stints on the disabled list, Segura is leading the American League in hitting with a .341 average.
“Over the past two seasons, Jean has been one of the premier offensive players in baseball,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “His combination of average, power and speed is extremely difficult to find, especially as a topof-the-lineup hitter at a key defensive position like shortstop. We are all quite excited about having him here with the Mariners and believe he is a key ingredient in our ongoing effort to build a championship level roster.”
Segura is currently out with a right high-ankle sprain that could keep him on the DL for up to a month.
He also missed time in April with a hamstring injury.
Shortstop has proved to be a troubled position for Seattle ever since Alex Rodriguez left for Texas after the 2000 season.