Atlanta signs Charlie Morton
Atlanta — The Atlanta Braves were looking for more than just experience and depth when they signed two-time All-Star Charlie Morton to a $15 million, one-year deal Tuesday.
As was the case when the Braves recently signed another veteran for the rotation, Drew Smyly, general manager Alex Anthopoulos sought a power arm to help push Atlanta to the World Series.
“It's swing and miss stuff,” Anthopoulos said. “There's a theme there with both Charlie and with Drew.”
Morton, a 37-year-old right-hander, is returning to the Braves after helping Tampa Bay reach the World Series this season.
The Rays declined his $ 15 million option and the Braves gave him what he would have earned. The Braves relied on their young starting pitchers to move within one game of the World Series this year, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the NLCS.
Braves left-hander Max Fried finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. Rookie sensation Ian Anderson and Kyle Wright also boosted the rotation after Atlanta lost ace Mike Soroka with a torn Achilles tendon.
The Braves are counting on Soroka's return in 2021, but the injury was a reminder of the need for depth.
“It's going to be a longer season than it was last season with 60 games, and depth is critically important,” Anthopoulos said. “Whoever you think your five are going to be when you get into spring training, I can pretty much guarantee you those five will not be standing upright by the time you break for opening day. You want to have at least six that you feel good about.''
"Even though our young starters took a step, having that depth was critically important for us and it's something that if we could get done early we certainly were going to try.”
In addition to losing Soroka, the Braves demoted struggling right-hander Mike Foltynewicz. Cole Hamels made only one start after signing an $18-million, one-year deal for 2020 that became more than $6.6 million prorated during the season shortened by coronavirus.