Braves Bringing Back Charlie Morton for $20 Million

After a brilliant start on Sunday to stop a losing streak, the Atlanta Braves decided it was time to bring back Charlie Morton for 2022. 

They actually listened to us! Just a couple of hour after I posted my store on why the Atlanta Braves need to convince Charlie Morton to come back, they actually made it happen!

Now, will it work if I write an article on extending Freddie Freeman?

Probably not, but it’s worth a try.

Bringing Morton back made too much sense after the season he’s had with the Braves. He’s been exactly what the Braves have been looking for in a veteran stalwart in the middle of the rotation to help show the young guys how to get it done.

I only hope the Braves can reach the postseason so we can see postseason Charlie.

Speaking of which, would Charlie would be your Game 1 starter in the postseason right now, or Max Fried? Let me know in the comments below, but I think you could go either way.

Here are the specifics on Morton’s extension, which includes a team option for 2023.

I said in my article that I posted Monday morning I thought it would take at least $15 million to convince him to come back, so 20 makes sense.

It’s a little surprising Charlie left his 2023 fate up to the Braves with that team option. That’s certainly great for the team — if Charlie pitches in 2022 the way he has in 2021 they almost certainly pick up that option.

Braves 2022 Starting Rotation

Now that Charlie is locked up for next season, let’s take a look at what the Braves starting rotation may look like. And with Charlie extended, that probably takes starting pitcher off the to-do list this coming offseason.

– Max Fried

– Charlie Morton

– Ian Anderson

– Huascar Ynoa

– Touki Toussaint/Kyle Muller/Tucker Davidson

That obviously is not even taking into account Mike Soroka, who could be back next summer if everything goes perfectly — and boy does he deserve something to go right.

I think you feel pretty confident going into a season with that group of starters. And you could potentially add another frontline starter at the deadline to put that rotation over the top if needed.

Bringing back Morton makes so much sense and will now allow Alex Anthopoulos to go into the offseason focussing on other areas of the team that need to be improved (bullpen).