Free Agent Charlie Morton Heads to the American League for 2025

41-year-old Charlie Morton finished the 2024 season insisting that he was not done yet, after 17 mostly marvelous years in the major leagues. After spending the last four seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Morton on Friday chose to sign with the Baltimore Orioles for 2025.

It's a one-year deal worth $15 million.

We have agreed to terms with RHP Charlie Morton on a one-year contract for the 2025 season.

Welcome to Birdland, Charlie! pic.twitter.com/QsqvAt3VLf
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 3, 2025

The Orioles starting rotation took a big hit this offseason with the defection of ace Corbin Burnes to the Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency. Morton will not replace Burnes' performance, but he is a solid veteran who can eat innings and do it well. He averaged close to 170 IP over the last four seasons in Atlanta, and posted a combined ERA in that time of less than 4.00.

The Birds' rotation now features Morton to go along with Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano. If this is all the Orioles do for their pitching staff this winter, it might be a bit of a disappointment, but at least they salvaged something on the mound in free agency.

Morton has a career 4.01 ERA over 17 seasons, with 138 victories and 8.7 strikeouts per nine.

He's also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (7 seasons), the Houston Astros (2 years), the Philadelphia Phillies (for four starts) and Tampa Bay Rays (2 years).