Phillies Outright Dylan Moore to Lehigh Valley

The Philadelphia Phillies have officially outrighted 33-year-old utility player Dylan Moore to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after he cleared waivers. Moore was designated for assignment last week and now has the option to elect free agency. The move allows the Phillies to maintain their current bench configuration with catchers Rafael Marchán, Garrett Stubbs, Félix Reyes, and Edmundo Sosa.

Moore signed a minor league deal with the Phillies in the offseason that would have paid him $1.85 million if he was called up to the majors. Instead, he opted out and signed a major league contract with a base salary of $1.45 million. That deal also included four $100,000 performance bonuses for reaching 100, 200, 300, and 400 plate appearances. Moore failed to reach any of those benchmarks in the 2025 season.

He played in just 15 plate appearances during the early part of the season, drawing three walks but also striking out six times and failing to record a hit. With the return of J.T. Realmuto from the injured list, the Phillies had enough depth to move forward without Moore. His utility value was clear, but his production did not justify keeping him on the 40-man roster.

Moore has been a productive player in the past, hitting 43 home runs between 2020 and 2024 with the Mariners and Rangers. He played in 1,397 plate appearances during that span and slashed .206/.319/.383 for a 105 wRC+. He also stole 93 bases and played multiple positions across the diamond, never serving as a catcher.

Last season, his numbers dipped slightly to a .201/.267/.374 slash line. That decline combined with his slow start in 2025 made it difficult for the Phillies to justify holding onto his contract. With more than five years of major league service time, Moore can now walk away from the team without forfeiting any of the $1.45 million he’s already earned.

If another team signs Moore, they would only be responsible for the prorated portion of the league minimum for any time he spends on their roster. That amount would be subtracted from the remaining salary the Phillies owe. Teams passed on claiming him on waivers, likely due to the financial burden of assuming the full contract.

Moore's next move is entirely up to him. If he elects free agency, he could explore opportunities with other teams at a reduced cost. If he stays in the Phillies' system, he will remain with Lehigh Valley and continue his professional career on their roster.