The Atlanta Braves have reached a contract extension with right-handed starting pitcher Charlie Morton worth $20 million for 2022 and a $20 million option for 2023. The club announced the deal Monday afternoon.
#Braves Extend Charlie Morton: pic.twitter.com/ON075igt4Q
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 6, 2021
Morton has been a brilliant addition to the Braves’ pitching staff this season, ranking as one of the best starters in the league with a 3.47 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 3.25 xFIP, 28.6 K%, 7.9 BB% and 3.6 WAR. Morton’s fastball velocity is as high as it has been since 2018, an indication that he feels great on the mound despite turning 38 in a few months. And by all accounts he has been a great fit within the clubhouse and alongside a young starting pitching staff.
Morton signed for $15 million this past season and was set to become a free agent at the end of the year. With this contract extension, Morton will remain in Atlanta through at least next season and could return in 2023 if all goes well.
The Braves have been busy in recent weeks, also signing Travis d’Arnaud to a two-year pact worth $16 million to keep him in Atlanta through 2023. They also added reliever Richard Rodriguez at the trade deadline (under team control for two more seasons) and seem likely to pick up the 2022 contract options on at least one of Adam Duvall or Joc Pederson. The big fish remaining, of course, is Freddie Freeman, although it would be a true shock if he does not return next year and beyond.
More to come...