Phillies Bring in Dylan Moore on Minor League Deal: A Versatile Veteran Gets Another Shot
The Phillies are adding some veteran versatility to their spring training mix, signing utilityman Dylan Moore to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp. The agreement gives Moore a chance to compete for a roster spot in Clearwater, and if he makes the club, he could earn up to $3.25 million through a combination of plate appearance and active roster bonuses.
Moore, now 33, is no stranger to the grind. After spending the bulk of his big league career with the Seattle Mariners from 2019 to 2025, he brings a well-rounded resume to Philadelphia.
Over 689 games with Seattle, Moore posted a .206/.310/.383 slash line, good for a 97 OPS+, while contributing 63 home runs, 198 RBIs, and 7.2 bWAR. He was never a star, but he was always useful – the kind of player managers love for his flexibility and grit.
His time in Seattle came to an end last August when the Mariners designated him for assignment. He was released shortly after and quickly landed with the Rangers on a minor league deal. It didn’t take long for Texas to call him up – Moore appeared in just one game at Triple-A Round Rock before the Rangers selected his contract on August 29.
And while the Rangers ultimately missed the postseason with an even 81-81 record, Moore made the most of his short stint in Arlington. He hit .259/.300/.481 across 30 plate appearances, adding two homers, six RBIs, and a pair of stolen bases in 18 games.
That 126 OPS+ was a welcome jolt for a Texas offense that stalled down the stretch. In fact, the Rangers’ team OPS in September dipped to .607 – a sharp drop from the .735 mark they posted from June through August.
Moore’s bat, while only a small sample, was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise sluggish finish.
One of his most notable contributions came while filling in for Corey Seager, who missed time due to an appendectomy. Moore stepped into the lineup and delivered solid at-bats in key moments – exactly what you want from a bench player in a playoff chase.
This isn’t Moore’s first rodeo with the Phillies’ division rival, either. The Rangers originally drafted him in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of the University of Central Florida.
But his stay in Texas didn’t last long – they dealt him to the Braves for cash in 2016. From there, Moore bounced around, spending time in the Brewers’ system before landing with Seattle ahead of the 2019 season.
So what’s the fit in Philadelphia?
Moore’s calling card has always been his defensive versatility. He’s played every position on the field except catcher, and while he’s not likely to crack the Phillies’ Opening Day lineup, he’ll have a shot to earn a role off the bench. His chances improve if he puts together a strong spring, and his recent performance in Texas certainly doesn’t hurt.
Right now, Edmundo Sosa is penciled in as the Phillies’ top utility infielder. Otto Kemp is another name in the mix for a bench role.
Moore will likely be competing with players like Pedro León, Bryan De La Cruz, and Johan Rojas for one of the final roster spots. It’s a crowded field, but Moore’s experience – and his ability to cover just about any position – gives him a legitimate shot.
At this stage in his career, Moore isn’t looking to be a star. But if he can flash the same kind of spark he showed in Texas, he could carve out a valuable role in Philadelphia. For a team with postseason aspirations, having a battle-tested utilityman who can step in and contribute across the diamond is never a bad thing.
