Veteran right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton appears to have made a decision about a potential return. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the 41-year-old intends to pitch in the 2025 season. This will be Morton’s 18th season in the MLB after debuting in 2008 with the Atlanta Braves. The expectation is that Morton will sign with a contending team. At age 41, he’s unlikely to sign on for any rebuilding efforts or to mentor a group of young arms.
Morton has made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 163 1/3 innings in each of the past four seasons. He’s provided more than just bulk work, as well. In 686 1/3 innings for the Braves, the veteran righty has pitched to a 3.87 ERA while striking out 26.6% of batters. He has also maintained a 9.3% walk rate.
Charlie Morton Planning To Pitch In 2025 https://t.co/2Uhydht0AO pic.twitter.com/Gad4Cah4bE
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 12, 2024
Charlie Morton Intends to Return for 2025 Season
Possibility Of Retirement
Morton has been rumored for many seasons now that retirement is always a possibility going into the off-season. Heading into this past spring, Morton was quoted as saying. “I thought I was gonna retire off and on over the past few years. Always thought that the game was gonna tell me to stop,” Morton said. “I thought that either my body or the game was gonna tell me to stop. I remember being with the Phillies going into the 2016 season and thinking I better start to really enjoy this time, because I don’t have much time left. Because either I’m gonna stink or I’m gonna get hurt again.”
“I think going into last year, I was viewing last year, certainly, as a possible last season. I’m looking around, I may have tried to take this all in,” Morton added. “I don’t think I need to be present in that, with that mentality anymore. I think I’ve been so fortunate to be able to go to so many places so many times. Experience so many things on and off the field with so many different people, different organizations, players, coaches, you name it, the fans, people that work at the stadiums. I think if you asked me six or seven years ago, where I actually was telling myself to take account of the blessings, the privilege. Now, I think, looking back, I was so lucky. I think at this stage, I really do need to try to just enjoy it, but also make it about winning and make it about the ultimate goal as a team.”
Potential Landing Spots
It would be logical to assume the Braves would have at least some interest in bringing Morton back, given that they have questions at the back end of their rotation for 2025. But it would almost certainly have to be at a smaller average annual value than the $20 million per year Morton has made the last few seasons. 2024 was not a particularly great season for the veteran in Atlanta. He pitched 165 1/3 innings and turned in a 4.19 earned run average. Last year’s 23.8% strikeout rate was Morton’s lowest since his tenure with the Houston Astros in 2017. With the Braves also all but certain to pay the luxury tax for a third straight season in 2025, that will mean at least a 50% tax on any dollars over the luxury barrier, and perhaps more, depending on the extent by which they surpass this year’s $241 million mark.
Morton has also been happy to pitch in the southeastern region of the country, close to his young family in Florida. Distance seems to be a priority, as he has recently pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves. Morton resides in the city of Bradenton.
The Baltimore Orioles’ spring training facility is located in Sarasota. Not only is their facility close to home for Morton, but the Orioles will also likely be contending again in the 2025 season. The Orioles could also use some rotation help going into next season. Already having pitchers out due to Tommy John Surgery, Corbin Burnes will also likely be on the move this winter in free agency.
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