SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Since signing with the Braves ahead of the 2021 season, Charlie Morton has represented stability and top-half-of-the-rotation talent. And on top of what he has done on the mound, he is revered in the clubhouse.
The Braves clearly felt they couldn’t lose him.
Atlanta exercised its $20 million club option on Morton by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline. The Braves declined the options on Eddie Rosario, Kirby Yates, Collin McHugh and Brad Hand.
This decision to bring back Morton provides more clarity to the Braves’ rotation for 2024.
The Braves will once again have Max Fried, Spencer Strider and Morton at the top of their rotation. Morton, who turns 40 on Nov. 12, became even more important when Kyle Wright underwent shoulder surgery that will force him to miss the entire 2024 season. Morton missed the National League Division Series with a right index finger sprain, but the Braves were hopeful he would be ready to pitch if they advanced to the National League Championship Series.
The Braves probably should consider signing another proven starting pitcher, or trading for one. They still have the opportunity to bolster their rotation, which would strengthen their World Series odds by supplementing an offense that produced historic numbers this year. But president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos should have less work to do with the starting pitching after bringing back Morton.
The biggest debate that’ll be had by fans and pundits: Is Morton worth $20 million?
In 2023, the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright, who turned 42 in August, made $17.5 million. The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, who is 35 years old, made $20 million this year. These are only two examples of well-known pitchers who were nearing the end of their careers. (Wainwright is now retired.) The Braves could’ve found a cheaper starting pitcher, but they know Morton and what he provides. That comfort level is valuable.
In 110 games for Atlanta, 109 of them starts, Morton has a 4.06 ERA. But those marks in 2021 and 2023 were 3.34 and 3.64, respectively.
Plus, he still features swing and miss. Morton’s whiff rate – or how often batters who swung at his pitches whiffed on those offerings – was 32.2%, which ranked in the 88th percentile in the sport, according to Baseball Savant. His strikeout rate dipped in 2023 – it was 25.6%, down from 28.2% last year – but he’s still shown an ability to generate punchouts.
A couple other things to ponder: Morton provides stability by returning to Atlanta, and the decision means the Braves won’t have to heavily rely on free agency, which could’ve been much more expensive to replace him. And it gives the Braves one more year with the veteran starter while their prospects – namely AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep – continue to develop.
Then there’s the clubhouse element. You won’t hear a bad word about Morton from his teammates. They praise his wise nature as much as his pitching. They love having him around.
In 2024, Fried will be in his walk year. Wright won’t pitch. The Braves were always going to need to fortify their starting rotation in some way, regardless of the decision they eventually made on Morton. Now, they shouldn’t need multiple splashes.
Morton’s contract option seemed like a close call that could’ve gone either way.
He’ll return to Atlanta.
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