The Astros are not planning to issue a qualifying offer to right-hander Charlie Morton, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). That’s a rather surprising turn of events for the veteran hurler, who has excelled over the past two seasons in Houston.
What’s most interesting about this news is that it would appear to suggest the Astros are ready to move on. That’s not entirely clear from this decision alone, to be sure, but it seems from an outside perspective that Morton would be a good buy at $17.9MM for a single season. Given his stated uncertainty about pitching much longer, and his interest in returning to Houston, Morton may well have been a candidate to accept a QO.
This call could, then, open the door for a few other teams to get in on Morton. He has made clear he’d like to land in the mid-Atlantic, owing to family considerations. If that preference holds, then most of the contending teams on the eastern seaboard figure to place calls. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Morton will now evidently be available without the need to surrender draft compensation.
Why not?
Cause they can give him two years for a lesser average.
But they do not have a deal for two years at any average. Further they could have signed him to a two year deal after making QO if that was doable.
Bad move period. No excuse
Get on it, Brewers!
Welcome back to Atlanta, Charlie.
Buster Olney is reporting that CLE is listening on some of their finest – due to financial constraints – including Kluber that is controllable for $48.5MM for the next 3 years through 2 team options that is valued at about $16.11MM/year. Kluber is set to make $17MM in 2019 then 2 team options could kick in.
Compare that to Greinke’s salary shed…
ROFLMAO!!!! Yeah, right.
Because they are going to just sign him to a 2 year deal.
Phat Keuchel has a crystal ball. Offering a QO wouldn’t preclude them from working out a 2 year deal. It would just give them added protection.
No but it would save them from having to pay it if he accepted it like Colby Rasmus did.
And what do you think he’s going to get on a 2 year deal? More than what he’s getting with the QO. A pitcher like Morton is more appealing on a 1/18.5 than a 2/30
@IDfantatic
No they are not signing him to a two year deal. They could have made QO and still negotiated a two year deal
Or they didnt want him to accept it and overpay like Colby Rasmus.
That could be the plan in Houston.
However, his pitching metrics, even with his physical problems, from last year will probably earn him a two year deal at 28 to 29mm, possibly in Atlanta or Chicago or Pittsburgh.
Time for a teardown in Houston!
Ha! That’s funny. The Morton decision is surprising but maybe he just let them know he wants to play closer to home and this is just a formality, which also saves Houston a draft pick. He still has something to offer if he still wants to pitch, but, let’s face it, in the era in which fans constantly bemoan the salaries players make and etc., just today Kershaw took a pay cut and Morton, in effect, turned down 18MM dollars to be closer to his family. Good for him; I could easily see him pitching for the Phillies or the Nats next year, if he wants to keep pitching, on a 1 year deal worth around 15 million. He’s still useful.
He didn’t turn down the offer, because Houston isn’t extending him the QO.
also, Houston will not get a draft pick as compensation if he leaves.
A formality that saves Houston a Draft pick? Where the hell did you pull that nonsense out of? Houston could’ve extended and he could’ve declined and signed that same 1/15 elsewhere if he was so inclined to do so.
Kershaw took a pay cut?
You’re a fool! Worry about your team and their rebuild.
I would anticipate a 1 year deal back in Houston in the area of 10 to 12 for the year
If Morton departs, hopefully they can use that money to sign Gerrit Cole and/or Justin Verlander-Upton to contract extensions.
Dumb
Why not? He seems like the type of player Houston would gladly bring back on a one-year deal. Even if they have to pay a bit of a premium for it.
Makes you wonder if the Astros had concern about the health of his shoulder because he seemed like a logical candidate to receive a qualifying offer.
Phillies or Yankees.
I actually see these instances as a goodwill sentiment. HOU is doing him a favor by not offering the QO so he can sign easier w another team. I doubt many teams would sacrifice any draft picks to sign Morton. Or they could just re-up at 2/20 and everyone is happy. Either way, it’s good for Charlie.
Yes, I agree. This is Houston saying Thank You. He would prefer to be close to his family at this stage in his career but he knows Houston will take care of him if he were to resign. I’m certain Jeff Luhnow spoke to him and broke it down. Regardless of the outcome I will cheer for him because he was a big part of the WS run. He’s thankful Houston gave him a shot and believed in a guy who believed he was only going to get a Minor league deal for 2017. Houston Loves You Charlie.
Nobody seems to mention that Morton had shoulder problems at the end of the season. and maybe the Astros have concerns about his health.
The Astros leaning hard on medicals. That’s how they do.
Someone has to go out of Keuchel, Morton and McCullers because Josh James will be going into the starting rotation.
Josh James will be going into the rotation because Keuchel and Morton are free agents, and McCullers is having TJ. They’re not not in the rotation because of an unproven rookie.
McCullers isn’t even going to be ready to start the year if he makes it back at all. So I don’t see any issue finding a spot for James or mchugh. Keuchel is a FA who likely will price himself out of Houston. Even without Morton they’ll have 5 big league caliber starters it just obliterates their depth and Morton is a proven commodity.
Baltimore!!!! Time to pony up!
He’s 34 with shoulder problems. Please…. cut Charlie Morton loose, the Astros know what they are doing,.
Stupid, stupid Astros.
His arm is good enough for another year or two.
Jump on it Braves!
Remember, this team has high hopes for Forest Whitley!