When you hear about two veteran starters potentially leaving a team that thrives on solid pitching, it’s enough to make you do a double-take. That’s exactly where the Atlanta Braves stand right now. Max Fried is already a no-go for 2025, and now, the question marks around Charlie Morton’s future are getting bolder and brighter.
Here’s the deal: The Braves and Morton haven’t been chatting much about a contract extension lately, according to David O’Brien from The Athletic. And it seems like Morton — who’s about to turn 41 — might be ready to pack his bags and see what other offers are out there. That is not exactly the comforting news Braves fans want to hear, especially considering that their pitching staff is thinning faster than a dollar-store paper towel.
O’Brien pointed out that the Braves’ priorities lie elsewhere right now — namely, finding a corner outfielder, bolstering the bullpen, and maybe even securing a mid-tier starter. That’s not to say Morton isn’t on their radar, but if they’re putting him on the back burner, you can bet a few pots are boiling over elsewhere.
Now, Morton’s options are a bit limited, but for a reason that makes complete sense. The guy wants to stay close to his family in Bradenton, Florida, which narrows his preferred spring training locations. That means teams like the Pirates, Rays, Phillies, Orioles, and Yankees could be in play. Of course, familiarity matters, and Morton’s history with Pittsburgh (seven seasons), Tampa Bay (two seasons), and Philadelphia (a single stint) makes them seem like frontrunners.
But — and it’s a big but — finances can muddy the waters. Morton has been pulling down $20 million a year with the Braves, and while he’s still productive, some teams (like the Pirates) might not be thrilled to hand that kind of money to a 41-year-old. The Rays aren’t exactly throwing around that cash, either.
Still, you have to wonder: If the Braves can’t lock Morton in, who’s going to step up? Morton’s numbers last year were solid — 8-10 record, 4.19 ERA, 167 strikeouts over 165.1 innings — and he was third in innings pitched for the team. That’s not a workload you casually replace, especially when Fried’s departure leaves another gaping hole in the rotation.
And here’s the kicker: Starting pitchers are flying off the market like hotcakes at a Sunday brunch. If Atlanta waits too long, they could be left scrambling for options that won’t match Morton’s consistency or experience. It’s a bit of a gamble, and the clock ticks louder daily.
So, while the Braves brass focuses on filling other holes, they might want to reconsider how much they value stability in the rotation. Morton may not be a long-term solution, but his dependability could be exactly what Atlanta needs to stay dominant in 2024. Otherwise, they might find themselves playing catch-up — and in baseball, that’s a dangerous place to be.
