Atlanta Braves sign RHP Charlie Morton on one-year, $ 15 million contract

Right-hander Charlie Morton on Tuesday signed a one-year, $ 15 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, further boosting the rotation of a team that had fallen one game short of the World Series and could come back even better in 2021 .

Morton, 37, has honed his reputation as a big game pitcher in recent years, finishing Game 7 of the 2017 World Series with Houston and winning Game 7 of the American League Championship Series this season for the Tampa Rays. Bay.

Atlanta, which entered this playoff run short of starters, is now among the best rotations in baseball, with Morton and the Braves’ other free agent signing, Drew Smyly, joining the young core of Max Fried, Ian Anderson and Mike. Soroka, who is expected to return from a torn Achilles a month or two into the season. Ahead of Soroka’s return, right-hander Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson could take his rotating spot.

Morton was only available after the Rays turned down a $ 15 million club option. While they wanted to re-sign Morton, they were unwilling to match Atlanta’s offer, returning Morton to the squad that drafted him in 2002 and with whom he made his debut six years later. .

Atlanta’s strategy of targeting high dollar free agents on one-year contracts, which was largely successful under president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos, was repeated with Morton and Smyly, who signed for $ 11 million. of dollars. Atlanta could see its latest triumph in that group, slugger Marcell Ozuna, depart via free agency this winter.

Even then, Atlanta’s throws could rival the best in the National League East, including the Washington Nationals, and give the Miami Marlins, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies even more to deal with then. that they try to dethrone the Braves, who have won three. consecutive division titles.

In his two seasons at Tampa Bay, Morton, who was praised for his work with the Rays’ young pitchers, went 18-8 with a 3.33 ERA and was third in the AL Cy Young vote. in 2019.

The two-time All-Star won his only World Series ring in 2017 with the Astros, with whom he was 29-10 with a 3.36 ERA in 55 starts over two seasons. Morton is 93-89 with a 4.08 ERA over a 13-year career with Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Houston and Tampa Bay.

Morton was not given no-trade protection in the deal, which is worth $ 15 million without incentive, sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney.