(Atlanta) The Atlanta Braves signed pitcher Charlie Morton to a one-year, $20 million contract on Friday.
Posted at 7:32 p.m.
Morton pocketed 20 million this season with the Braves, who hold an option for the same amount for 2024, without a buyout clause.
The 38-year-old Morton was 9-6 with a 4.29 ERA in 30 starts this season. The right-hander was 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA in 33 starts with the Braves last year, helping the team win the World Series.
A two-time All-Star selection, Morton has struck out 416 batters since joining the Braves ahead of the 2021 season, and his tally is the third most in the Nationals during that streak.
Morton has 200 opponents in the mitt this season, which ranks him fifth in the National in this regard. He is only the third pitcher in Braves history to have at least 200 strikeouts in more than one season, after John Smoltz (five times) and Phil Niekro (three times).
Drafted by the Braves in the third round of the 2002 draft, Morton made his major league debut in 2008 with the Atlanta squad.
Morton also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. He also won a World Series with the Astros in 2017.
