Mariners fans ready to say goodbye to franchise mainstay at MLB trade deadline

As the MLB trade deadline creeps closer, Seattle Mariners fans find themselves dreaming of a splashy acquisition. But while the anticipation builds for a new addition, it’s time to address the emotional flip side of the deadline frenzy: Who gets left behind?

In this case, all signs point to Dylan Moore. A utility man in the truest sense of the word, Moore has been a fixture in Seattle for seven seasons, playing everywhere in the infield and outfield and even earning a Gold Glove in 2024 for his elite versatility. He’s been the type of player managers love to pencil into lineups because of the flexibility he provides.

But in the cold, calculated world of roster construction, sentiment can only go so far. And unfortunately for Moore, his bat has fallen off a cliff. He’s mired in what may be the worst slump of his career, going just 2-for-his-last-51 with a staggering 28 strikeouts. That’s not a skid — it’s a complete nosedive. And it’s coming at the worst possible time, with the Mariners needing every bit of offense they can scrape together to stay in the thick of the AL playoff race.

Dylan Moore’s slump could spell the end of his Mariners tenure

To make matters worse, even Moore’s glove hasn’t been enough to justify a roster spot lately. His defensive metrics have dipped, and he’s no longer the automatic plug-and-play solution he once was. That’s left fans and analysts alike questioning whether the longtime Mariner is simply out of runway.

The frustration has spilled over to social media, where even some fans are beginning to concede the writing on the wall. There’s no joy in seeing a player with this kind of tenure struggle so publicly, but the reality is becoming impossible to ignore.

This is the business side of baseball. The part fans don’t always want to think about. But when a team is chasing October, hard decisions have to be made. And right now, keeping Dylan Moore on the active roster is a luxury the Mariners can’t afford — emotionally painful or not.

If Jerry Dipoto and company do pull the trigger on a bat at the deadline, it’s likely Moore will be the odd man out. Whether it’s a DFA or trade, it’s shaping up to be the end of an era in Seattle. One that deserves a tip of the cap, even if the results no longer justify the role.

So while fans count down to the deadline dreaming of blockbuster additions, they may also need to start preparing to say goodbye to one of the longest-tenured players on the roster.