Mariners must check their temptation on possible reunion with 2025 castoff

Seattle Mariners fans will remember how tough it was to watch Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki when they returned to finish their Major League careers where it all started, but at least they were both headed to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as first-ballot selections. How do you think the fanbase would react if Dylan Moore were to come back for his own reunion with the team?

That this possible scenario has even emerged is due to Moore triggering the opt-out clause on his deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, giving them 48 hours to add him to their 40-man roster or he becomes a free agent on Saturday. There have been no reports actually linking him with a return to Seattle, but this hasn't stopped speculation on various social media platforms.

One line of thinking — again, just to stress, pure speculation — is that Moore has triggered his opt-out clause, because there's some potential of him being able to re-sign with the Mariners. However, as popular, loyal and hard-working as Moore undoubtedly was during his nearly seven seasons in Seattle, why would they realistically consider bringing him back?

We appreciate that J.P. Crawford has been dealing with a lingering shoulder issue and will potentially not be ready for Opening Day, with Moore having invaluable experience of playing all over the field including at shortstop. However, apart from having top-rated prospect Colt Emerson right there, the Mariners also have Leo Rivas as a perfectly solid utility infielder to fill in for Crawford if needed.

From a first AL Player of the Week award to being unable to buy a hit in a matter of months with the Mariners

This aside, let's not forget how horribly it all ended in Seattle last season for Moore, as he had completely and utterly lost his confidence at the plate by the time he was designated for assignment and subsequently released after clearing waivers. Over basically three months, he managed just three hits, resulting in a .045 batting average, .240 OPS, -26 wRC+ and -0.9 fWAR.

Moore experienced a bit of a renaissance after returning to play for the team which drafted him back in 2015, but it speaks to something that the Texas Rangers still decided against bringing him back this year. Further, he hasn't exactly been lighting it up in Florida with the Phillies, with a .172 batting average and .472 OPS in 34 plate appearances.

At the risk of sounding like we're piling on (we promise we don't mean to), Moore is also no longer the same defender who won a Gold Glove in 2024, with him last year ranking in the 13th percentile for Range (OAA) and 35th percentile for Arm Strength. He'll always be fondly remembered for what he did in Seattle, but at this point and with genuine greatest of respect to him, both sides should stay moved on.