Phillies Add Versatile Veteran on Incentive-Laden Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason has not unfolded the way many fans anticipated. After coming up short in pursuits of star talents such as Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker, the club has been forced to shift its focus. With most of the top-tier free agents already off the board, Philadelphia is now turning toward low-risk, high-upside moves to strengthen the roster.
One such move came with the signing of veteran utilityman Dylan Moore. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Phillies brought Moore aboard on a minor league contract that includes a notable incentive structure. The deal could pay Moore up to $3.25 million based on plate appearances and time spent on the active roster, making it a far more intriguing agreement than the typical minor league pact.
Moore, who will turn 34 this season, is essentially joining the Phillies on a prove-it deal. Originally selected in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers out of the University of Central Florida, Moore spent years bouncing between organizations before finding stability with the Seattle Mariners. He made his major league debut in 2019 and went on to spend more than six seasons in Seattle’s system.
Over his MLB career, Moore has appeared in 689 games and totaled 63 home runs across 1,922 plate appearances. While the Phillies are not expecting him to transform their lineup, they are clearly hoping he can provide reliable depth and flexibility as a role player.
Defensively, Moore brings significant value. He is capable of playing every position on the field except catcher and does so at a high level. His versatility and defensive consistency were recognized in 2024 when he earned a Gold Glove Award as a utility player. That type of defensive reliability can be invaluable over the course of a long season.
Offensively, Moore offers a skill set that could fit a specific need in Philadelphia. A right-handed hitter, he has been noticeably more productive against left-handed pitching, owning a .727 career OPS against southpaws compared to a .668 OPS versus right-handers. He also adds speed to the roster, ranking in the 68th percentile in sprint speed in 2024 and compiling 118 stolen bases during his career, including three seasons with 20 or more steals.
Perhaps most impressive is Moore’s plate discipline. In 2024, the last season in which advanced metrics were available, he ranked in the 99th percentile in chase rate and the 94th percentile in walk rate, showcasing an elite ability to control the strike zone, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Given the strong incentives in his contract, Moore has a realistic chance to break camp with the team as a utility option. While the Phillies already have players such as Edmundo Sosa and Otto Kemp who can fill similar roles in the infield, Moore’s versatility in the outfield may give him an edge.
Left field appears to be his clearest path to playing time. Brandon Marsh has struggled significantly against left-handed pitching, making a platoon situation likely. Moore’s ability to handle lefties at an average-to-above-average level could allow him to carve out a meaningful role, potentially making this understated signing a smart and cost-effective move for Philadelphia.
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