Jean Segura officially hung up his cleats on May 21, 2025, closing the book on an impressive 12-year MLB career filled with milestones, All-Star nods, and one season in the desert that helped reshape the Arizona Diamondbacks' future.
A slick-fielding, high-contact infielder, Segura played for six different franchises across his career — the Angels, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Mariners, Phillies, and Marlins — compiling 1,545 hits, 110 home runs, 513 RBIs, and 211 stolen bases while slashing a robust .281/.327/.401. He was a model of consistency and hustle, known for his aggressive approach at the plate and savvy baserunning skills. But it was his single season in Arizona that not only revived his career, but sparked a franchise-altering chain reaction.
Segura’s 2016 campaign with the Diamondbacks was the best of his career. Acquired in a trade from Milwaukee, Segura responded with a league-leading 203 hits, slashed .319/.368/.499 with 20 home runs, and 33 stolen bases. He stuffed the stat sheet with 102 runs scored, 41 doubles, and a career-high .867 OPS — all while delivering elite defense and a 6.6 WAR season that earned him MVP votes and cemented his place as one of the league’s top shortstops.
Segura’s retirement rekindles the trade that brought Arizona its franchise cornerstone
But as dominant as Segura was in the moment, his true impact in Arizona came after his exit. That winter, the Diamondbacks pulled the trigger on a bold five-player trade, sending Segura, Mitch Haniger, and left-hander Zac Curtis to the Seattle Mariners. In return, Arizona acquired right-hander Taijuan Walker and a young, versatile infielder named Ketel Marte.
At the time, Marte was still a developing talent with more questions than answers. Today, he’s the unquestioned face of the franchise — a switch-hitting All-Star who has grown into a Gold Glove-caliber defender, middle-of-the-order threat, and the heartbeat of the clubhouse. This season Marte inked a six-year, $116 million extension to remain in Arizona, affirming his status as the Diamondbacks’ franchise cornerstone.
Segura’s tenure in Arizona lasted just one season, but the ripple effects of his performance has shaped the team nearly a decade later. His breakout year gave the D-backs the leverage to acquire Marte — a deal that might go down as one of the most important in franchise history.
As Segura walks away from the game, his legacy with the D-backs may not be about longevity, but about timing and transformation. One single but phenomenal season helped ignite a rebuild, and in return, gave rise to the player who now defines the Diamondbacks' present and future.