The Phillies announced that they have acquired minor league outfielder Hendry Mendez and infielder Robert Moore from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infielder Oliver Dunn.
Dunn, a 26-year-old left-handed hitting second baseman, was a candidate to be added to the Phillies’ 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline at 6:00 p.m. ET. He had an excellent season with Double-A Reading, slashing .271/.396/.506 with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs. Dunn was recently named the Arizona Fall League Breakout Player of the Year.
Mendez, 20, and Moore, 21, reached High A in 2023. Moore was the 72nd overall pick in 2022 while Mendez signed with the Brewers for $800,000 in 2021. Both struggled offensively in 2023.
The Brewers essentially traded two minor leaguers to add Dunn to its 40-man roster before other teams had the chance to take him in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Phillies currently have 38 players on its 40-man roster.
Tuesday is expected to be a hectic day in the baseball calendar. In addition to the Rule 5 protection deadline, players have until 4 p.m. ET to either accept or reject the qualifying offer. Aaron Nola is expected to decline the QO, which is a one-year, $20.35 million contract for 2024.
