BALTIMORE — Veteran right-hander has signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, the team announced Friday.
The 41-year-old Morton, best known for his heroics in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros, joins Baltimore to bolster their starting rotation. This will mark Morton’s 18th MLB season, following a four-year stint with the Atlanta Braves, during which he helped secure the 2021 World Series title.
The Orioles also added 35-year-old Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano earlier this offseason on a one-year, $13 million contract. These signings come as Baltimore looks to compensate for the loss of 2024 ace Corbin Burnes, who departed for the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $210 million deal last month.
Morton holds a career record of 138-123 and posted an 8-10 record with a 4.19 ERA over 165 1/3 innings with Atlanta last season. Remarkably durable, he is one of only four pitchers to make at least 30 starts in every full MLB season since 2018 (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign), joining José Berríos, Patrick Corbin, and Aaron Nola. Over his four years with the Braves, Morton compiled a 45-34 record and a 3.87 ERA.
Morton’s MLB journey includes stints with the Braves (who drafted him in the third round in 2002), Pirates (2009–15), Phillies (2016), Astros (2017–18), and Rays (2019–20), with whom he pitched in the 2020 World Series.
To accommodate Morton on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Rene Pinto for assignment.
Orioles GM Mike Elias continues his trend of signing veteran starters to short-term deals. Recent examples include Kyle Gibson in 2023 and Jordan Lyles in 2022. Burnes, acquired in a trade from Milwaukee before the 2024 season, exemplifies Elias’ proactive approach to improving the rotation.
Baltimore has reached the playoffs in each of the past two seasons but has yet to advance beyond the first round, suffering sweeps in both appearances.
Leave a Reply