The Seattle Mariners have designated utility man Dylan Moore for assignment and cleared his 40-man roster spot, placing him on unconditional release waivers. In a corresponding move, Seattle activated outfielder Victor Robles from the 60-day injured list to take Moore’s roster space. Robles is expected to be in the lineup tonight while he appeals a 10-game suspension he incurred for a bat-throw incident during a minor-league rehab game.
Moore, 33, had been the longest-tenured member of Seattle’s roster. He debuted with the club in 2019 and delivered a breakout season in the shortened 2020 campaign, posting a .255/.358/.496 slash line (140 wRC+) with eight homers and 12 steals in 159 plate appearances, making him the second-best hitter on the team behind Austin Nola. Though his offense faded in 2021, he rebounded with three straight above-average seasons from 2022 to 2024, highlighting his versatility by playing all positions except catcher and contributing on the bases with 60 steals during that stretch. He was particularly productive against left-handed pitching in recent years, delivering a .233/.356/.425 line (129 wRC+) against lefties from 2022–2024. A career 116 steals athlete, Moore also flashed value with speed and defense, including a Gold Glove-caliber season in 2022.
This year has been a significant downturn for Moore. In 88 games, he hit just .193/.263/.359 (78 wRC+), with a career-high 35.7% strikeout rate. His defense has come under more scrutiny this season, and his production against left-handed pitching has collapsed to .149/.257/.309 (66 wRC+) in 109 plate appearances. Given the numbers, Seattle opted to move on, clearing a path for roster and payroll flexibility ahead of free agency.
Robles, a former Nationals top prospect, joined Seattle and enjoyed an explosive 2023–24 stint, slashing .328/.393/.467 with 30 stolen bases in 77 games. He signed a two-year extension with the Mariners, but this season has been hampered by an extended stint on the injured list following a dislocated shoulder and the suspension tied to the bat-throw incident. He is expected to share outfield time with Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley, and with Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez entrenched in left and center field, Robles will likely see varied opportunities in left and other outfield spots.
The waiver period gives other clubs a chance to claim Moore within a week; if unclaimed, Seattle could try to outright him to the minors, though Moore has enough service time to reject such an assignment in favor of free agency.
Possible impact and context:
– Seattle continues to balance veteran versatility with younger depth as it reconfigures its outfield alignment.
– Robles’ speed and defense could provide a high-upside complement in the outfield, especially if he recovers form after his shoulder injury and suspension.
– The departure of Moore opens playing-time opportunities for Canzone, Raley, and other outfield options on the roster or in the organization.
Summary: The Mariners reshaped their roster by designating Dylan Moore for assignment and importing Victor Robles off the injured list, signaling a pivot toward reinforcing the outfield depth and leveraging Robles’ speed and defensive upside as the team navigates a competitive season.
Additional notes:
– The move underscores Seattle’s ongoing evaluation of its bench and utility options as they balance performance, health, and contractual considerations.
– If Moore clears waivers, a potential minor-league assignment could be explored, but his service time affords him flexibility to seek free agency if desired.
Overall, the development reflects a practical roster adjustment aimed at maximizing speed, defense, and outfield flexibility as the Mariners push toward maintaining competitive depth.