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D-backs likely to be disappointed by Segura deal

Shortstop Jean Segura was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday as part of a five-player deal. Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

In Saturday's five-player trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Arizona Diamondbacks think they just traded a prospect for a major league shortstop and top-of-the-order hitter. Unfortunately, as they're soon to find out, Jean Segura is neither of those things, and he hasn't been for two and a half years now.

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; he's a second baseman masquerading as a shortstop, if you're not. Even at second base, his bat doesn't profile well, although he'll be less of a liability on defense.