The Mariners have reached agreement on a deal with free agent infielder Dylan Moore, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). It’s a big-league contract for the 26-year-old, a client of Rep 1, though the financial component is not yet known.
Moore will receive a 40-man spot after reaching minor-league free agency. That’s a relatively unusual, but hardly unprecedented outcome. The former seventh-round pick landed with the Brewers organization last season after the Braves let him go. He had originally landed in Atlanta as part of the 2016 Jeff Francoeur swap.
Though he has yet to receive a chance at the majors, Moore has at times turned in intriguing numbers in the minors. He thrived in particular at the upper reaches of the Milwaukee farm in 2018, turning in a composite .299/.363/.522 slash with 14 home runs through 454 plate appearances (most of which came at Triple-A).
Moore has experience all over the field, including plenty of time at shortstop, so he could offer quite a bit of defensive versatility. Of course, he’ll first need to impress the Seattle brass and earn an opportunity, but he’ll now be firmly in the mix since he’s already on the 40-man roster.
He’ll be in Triple A 90% of the season, when he’s up, get a small handful of AB’s then get optioned for a fresh reliever.
I played ball with this guy at Cypress college. He’s a stud. Best of luck to him moving forward
Two M’s AAA infielders are FAs. Moore’s numbers look to be an upgrade.
Everyone’s going to be looking this winter for the next Max Muncy/ Joey Wendle……his numbers outside of Colorado Springs (where pop flies become triples) look rather blah, but he had a strong scouting report……worth a shot on the 40 if you have room….and M’s have the room…..
I just wish the Tigers would sign this type of player instead of Pete Kozmas.
Yup
He’s potentially a major upgrade compared to what the M’s had in utility infielders this past season.I hope he makes the team and does well.
Doesn’t have to do a whole lot to be better than what Andrew Romine did last year.
He’s one of those guys peeps just think will finally figure it out and be a a solid bench piece or even a starter…. but he won’t
Not that this guy is anywhere near a guaranteed/legit big leaguer, but does anyone think this sort of foreshadows a trade of Dee Gordon? Seattle now has a legit lead-off hitter in Smith, which also effectively ended any situation where Gordon would even be somewhat considered to go back out there.
Additionally, with Vogelbach and Healy as current options at 1b (as well as some DH) Cano looks to be destined to be the primary 2nd baseman along with sharing time as a DH as well. It looks like Gordon’s path to playing time is a bit crowded at this point, and I doubt the M’s would be willing to pay a part time payer approx. 29m (including buyout) over the next two years. Granted Gordon surely doesn’t possess a great deal of value on the trade market, but if SEA offsets some of his contract, I think a couple teams would have interest.