The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a minor-league deal with David Dahl, an outfielder who could offer the team more insurance in the absence of Brandon Marsh.
Dahl reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal, per the New York Post. The agreement is pending a physical.
Earlier on Friday the Phillies agreed to a one-year deal with Whit Merrifield, a veteran who can play both infield and outfield.
Dahl is a six-year veteran who has played in 331 Major League games, but only played in four games with San Diego last season and didn’t play in the Majors in 2022.
He broke in with Colorado in 2016 and proved to have a capable bat during his time with the Rockies, slashing .286/.334/.494/.828 with 43 home runs and 161 RBI. His best season was in 2019, when he made the National League All-Star team and finished with a .302 batting average, 15 home runs and 60 RBI.
He hit 16 home runs and drove in 48 RBI the season before.
But since 2020, his final season in Colorado, his bat hasn’t produced. He batted .184 in 24 games in 2020, followed by a 2021 with Texas in which he batted .210 in 63 games.
In his four games with San Diego last season he managed one hit in nine at-bats. He finished the season in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization.
Marsh had arthroscopic surgery recently and the Phillies expect him to be ready for Opening Day. But, in the event he isn’t, Dahl could be an option.
The Phillies have Nick Castlellanos, Cristian Pache, Jake Cave and Johan Rojan held over from last season. The Phillies also have Kyle Schwarber, but he’s basically a full-time designated hitter at this point.
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