More on Morton's arrival in Orioles' rotation

If veteran leadership was a priority for the Orioles in their hunt for starting pitching, they couldn’t do much better than 41-year-old Charlie Morton.

Morton was the fourth-oldest pitcher in the majors last season, and he’s the oldest for the Orioles since reliever Jesse Orosco called Baltimore his baseball home from 1995-99.

The Orioles aren’t putting age before duty. They need Morton to be productive, which they anticipate with a $15 million contract. This isn't Corbin Burnes money, but it's another example of the increased spending under new ownership.

The club had the rare honor of breaking its own news. The agreement wasn’t leaked to national or local media.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias told reporters at the Winter Meetings that he could acquire two starters, though he didn’t make any guarantees. Morton brings the offseason total to two.

That much is confirmed, but there are some lingering questions.

* Are the Orioles done with their starter search?

They already have five in place with Morton, Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano. They also have an overflow with Albert Suárez, Trevor Rogers and Cade Povich, plus minor leaguers Chayce McDermott and Brandon Young.

The bullpen could house at least one of them, with Suárez the likeliest to move. He’s out of options and used to changing roles like socks. Others might benefit from further development at Triple-A.

* Could the surplus be packaged in a trade for a No. 1?

Elias has referenced negotiations that could lead to trades involving major league talent, with the growing number of teams approaching business as contenders that are less willing to be satisfied with farm system returns.

Opportunities in free agency are limited, but the Mariners have a couple starters who could be on the table and the Padres might be willing to part with Dylan Cease.

* Would the Orioles consider a six-man rotation?

It’s hard to imagine early in the season with the built-in days off. Operating with a short bullpen is dangerous. However, the Orioles have done it in previous seasons as they move through the summer months.

There’s logic in going with six for reasons stated previously, including how Sugano is used to longer rest between starts in Japan and that Rodriguez went on the injured list two more times last summer.

A modified version of a six-man rotation also is possible.

* Can Morton keep defying age?

While other veteran starters succumb to the injured list, increasing the risk in signing them, Morton has made 30 or more starts in the last six full seasons and 25 or more in the last seven.

The 30 starts last season would have ranked second on the Orioles behind Burnes’ 32. The 33 in 2021 would have been five more than team leader Matt Harvey.

Morton’s 165 1/3 innings last season would have put him second behind Burnes’ 194 1/3 and well ahead of Suárez’s 133 2/3.

* How much did playoff experience matter?

Morton has two World Series rings and a 3.60 ERA in 18 playoff games. No moment is going to be too big for him.

He loves a big stage.

* How much did the Sarasota complex matter?

Morton lives in Bradenton, a short drive from Ed Smith Stadium. We were reminded again how much family and home meant to Burnes.

* How much did a reunion with pitching coach Drew French matter?

French was the Braves’ bullpen coach during Morton’s days in Atlanta. They won a championship together in 2021.