On Friday evening, the Philadelphia Phillies struck a deal with veteran utilityman Dylan Moore.
The contract is reportedly a minor league deal with an invite to major league Spring Training. If Moore makes the Phillies’ roster at any point in the season, he can earn up to $3.5 million in incentives.
This is an overall smart signing by the Phillies. They are buying low on a “do-it-all” style of player, one that offers flexibility defensively, without drastically sacrificing offensive output.
Given the current status of the roster, a strong performance in Spring Training might earn Moore a spot on the Opening Day roster.
The right-hander spent seven seasons as a member of the Seattle Mariners before being released in late August of this past year. He was then signed by the Texas Rangers, where he finished out the remainder of the 2025 season.
Moore won the American League Gold Glove for utility players in 2024 as a member of the Mariners. The former Mariner and Ranger has played at least one inning at every position except for catcher in his big league career.
Despite being more known for his defense, Moore can still swing the bat at a decent clip. His career 162-game averages out to a .693 OPS with 15 home runs and 28 stolen bases. His style of play relies heavily on hustle, which is an attribute that Philadelphia sports fans adore.
Adding Moore into the mix makes the race for the final bench spot far more interesting for the Phillies. At this moment, he should be considered the favorite.
Edmundo Sosa, Rafael Marchan and Otto Kemp are all locks to make the Opening Day roster. Barring injury, it is safe to say each player has their spot locked in due to past performance and roster construction.
Before this signing, I expected the team to fill the final spot with another outfielder. Whether that was Johan Rojas, Bryan De La Cruz or Gabriel Rincones Jr.
Moore checks all of the boxes for this team. He can play both infield and outfield, he can pinch run late in games and can hold his own if asked to start for any extended period of time.
With some players leaving for the World Baseball Classic, I expect Moore to get a lot of playing time in Grapefruit League action. Keep an eye out for the newest Phillie as we watch the club work towards Opening Day.
