Braves Country is getting plenty of practice saying goodbye to their favorite players. Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, Max Fried, and now the elder statesman in Charlie Morton have left Atlanta. The veteran inked a one-year deal worth $15 million with the Orioles on Friday, and ESPN’s David Schoefield gave the acquisition a B grade.
Though his 4.19 ERA from last season isn’t anything to write home about, his stuff hasn’t left him, especially his curveball. Morton has given the Braves a lot over the last four seasons, combining for a 3.87 ERA over 124 starts. The production has dipped, but it hasn’t been a sudden drop-off like with some aging pitchers.
While Orioles fans are frustrated after losing out on Corbin Burnes and other top starters, Baltimore is getting an ironman in Uncle Chuck. He reached 30 starts and surpassed 160 frames in all four seasons during his time with the Braves. The stuff is still there, and he’s durable. Charlie Morton is a solid fourth starter, and that’s exactly what $15 million is getting you nowadays. Hell, that might even be a bargain in some circles.
It’s why Braves fans, at least this one, are a bit confused that the club didn’t make this deal. According to Ken Rosenthal and David O’Brien, the club had discussions with Morton about a possible return, but when those negotiations stalled, Morton entertained other offers.
Rosenthal and O’Brien did add that the Braves are expected to add at least one proven starter but “have scoured the free agent and trade markets and so far haven’t found a deal that fits within their budget or doesn’t require them to trade multiple prospects from a minor-league system that ranks in the bottom third of baseball.”
There’s still plenty of offseason left, but it’s becoming increasingly unclear what exactly Alex Anthopoulos has in store this winter.
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David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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