Orioles sign Morton to one-year deal

The Orioles’ rotation is deeper tonight, though also more likely to remain in-house for an Opening Day starter.

Charlie Morton has signed a one-year contract, with an industry source confirming the guaranteed value at $15 million.

Morton is a 17-year veteran who turned 41 in November, making him the logical choice to serve as leader of the rotation. He’s been durable, making 33, 31, 30 and 30 starts over the past four seasons.

The right-hander is one of four pitchers with at least 30 starts in each full season since 2018 – not including the shortened 2020 - along with José Berríos, Patrick Corbin, and Aaron Nola.

Where Morton slots will be determined later, but he could settle behind Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez. Dean Kremer and Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano should round out the unit.

Albert Suárez seems more likely now to move back into a relief role, though he’ll compete as a starter in camp with left-handers Cade Povich and Trevor Rogers. The depth also includes Chayce McDermott and Brandon Young.

Morton owns a career 4.01 ERA in 383 games. He’s spent the past four seasons with the Braves, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2002, called him up six years later and traded him to the Pirates in June 2009 for future Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth.

With the Braves, Morton went a combined 45-34 with a 3.87 ERA in 686 1/3 innings in the last four years. His 138 career wins are tied for seventh among active pitchers.

Morton registered a 4.19 ERA and 1.325 WHIP last season in 30 starts and 165 1/3 innings. He was an All-Star in 2018 with the Astros, with Mike Elias in the front office before joining the Orioles as executive vice president/general manager, and finished third in Cy Young voting with the Rays in 2019 while again making the All-Star team.

The postseason experience is a plus, with two World Series rings and a 3.60 ERA in 18 games.

In seven career starts against the Orioles, Morton went 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA over 34 1/3 innings. He has a 2.33 ERA in four starts at Camden Yards.

Catcher René Pinto was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles have doled out contracts worth a combined $86 million to Tyler O’Neill ($49.5 million), Gary Sánchez ($8.5 million), Sugano ($13 million) and Morton. They remain in the market for at least one reliever.

MLB.com first reported the terms of Morton’s contract.