On Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies were back in action once again in the free agent market by making a sneaky value signing of a former Gold Glove winner. The Phillies reportedly agreed to a minor league deal including an invite to spring training with former Seattle Mariners utilityman Dylan Moore, The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported.
Per Sammon, Moore’s contract comes with playing incentives that could be worth up to $3.25 million when all is said and done. In doing so, the Phillies should be looking forward to an intense, deep training camp battle for a bench spot heading into 2026.
Moore is coming off an underwhelming 2025 campaign in which he posted a .201 batting average and .642 OPS, with 35 runs scored, five doubles, 11 home runs, 25 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 106 games split between the Mariners and Texas Rangers. However, the 33-year-old veteran had been productive in generating runs throughout much of his MLB career as a reserve or platoon player, averaging 58 runs scored, 47 RBIs and 28 stolen bases per season over a full 162-game schedule pace.
Phillies’ new signing Dylan Moore brings speed, defense to spring training bench battle
In addition, Moore provides the solid combination of elite speed and defense coming off the bench that managers love to have as their disposal on a daily basis. As a super utilityman, he also has the ability to play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield. Most importantly, Moore is able to play all of those positions with tremendous success, as highlighted by his AL Gold Glove Award for the utility position in 2024. That year, he had regular reps at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field but committed only five errors across 401 total chances for a strong .988 fielding percentage.
On top of that, despite a batting average that usually hovers close to the Mendoza Line, Moore brings some surprising pop in his bat. He has averaged double digits in home runs each year despite playing mainly in a bench role.
With his ability to contribute effectively both at the plate and in the field, Moore will be a serious threat to other Phillies players such as the promising Otto Kemp, the suddenly-revived Johan Rojas, and others that will be battling it out for a bench role ahead of the upcoming 2026 MLB season.
So if Moore can end up becoming another Edmundo Sosa with added speed and elite defense for Philadelphia, they could very well have a secret weapon coming off the bench if he ends up making the big league roster.