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Yesterday the damn finally broke on Winter Meetings news, and it was the Rays who came out on top, having secured the services of “World Series hero” Charlie Morton to be the new veteran presence in the Rays rotation.
Initially announced as a two-year, $30 million deal, details have emerged that the Rays were able to add a third-year option on the contract.
Per source, $15M vesting option in Charlie Morton’s two-year, $30M deal with #Rays works like this: If Morton on DL for more than 200 days in first two years, option drops to $1M. If 30 days or less, he gets full $15M, scaling down to $10M, $5M, $3M, $1M based upon days missed.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2018
You might remember this as the “Lackey option” which was included on his final professional contract.
If Morton is injured for a lengthy period, he might not want to return for option year; he spoke of retirement even before pursuing this deal. Then again, given his sense of responsibility, he also might feel obligated to keep going. Either way, deal structured to protect #Rays.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2018
Charlie Morton Links
- Jeff Passan broke the signing yesterday, and you can read his report here.
- Marc Topkin interviewed Morton’s former teammate (and Tampa native) Lance McCullers:
"Just an all-time guy. An all-time husband, father, teammate, friend. Can't say enough about what kind of person he is. And it definitely has translated to the mound and the kind of pitcher he has become.'' - #Astros McCullers on now #Rays RHP Morton https://t.co/a4IeqOpYif
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 13, 2018
- Neil Solondz says this signing ticks a lot of necessary boxes for the Rays:
How would an addition of Charlie Morton help the #Rays? Let us count the ways:https://t.co/KEyD3veLYn
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) December 12, 2018
- ESPN offered an in depth profile on Morton in October 2018, highlighting the length of his career and the challenges faced.
- Matt Snyder penned a profile coinciding with Morton’s first All-Star Game appearance this season, as shared by R.J. below:
Charlie Morton was a blast to listen to at the All-Star Game. Broke down his evolution as a pitcher, as detailed here: https://t.co/zQFxhA6B9D pic.twitter.com/MfDmGwJVM6
— R.J. Anderson (@r_j_anderson) December 12, 2018
- Jeff Sullivan sees a lot of injury risk in the Rays signing, but also sees the contract as “normal”
Signing Charlie Morton is the act of a normal baseball team. It certainly worked out for the last team that did this.
More Rays News
- Charlie Frago at the Tampa Bay Times is reporting the stadium deal died in November of this year after key business leader Ron Christaldi attempted to broker a deal to finance the stadium with little transparency
BREAKING: Ron Christaldi and Oak Street. The firm wanted to pay for the whole ballpark, says Ken Hagan, but they were also Christaldi's client.
— Charlie Frago (@CharlieFrago) December 12, 2018
https://t.co/Dwvm4A40Dy
- Marc Topkin says the Rays are still in on star catcher J.T. Realmuto:
Competition is strong for #Marlins C but #Rays have prospects/young players to keep talking about a deal https://t.co/Dxv6PSor0B
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 13, 2018
- Martin Fennelly. Wrote fragmented sentences. About what life would be like. Without the Rays in Tampa Bay.
No baseball in Tampa Bay. We need to begin to wrap our minds around it, Martin Fennelly writes. #Rays @RaysBaseball @mjfennelly @TB_Times #TampaBay #Tampa #StPetersburg https://t.co/zJVKVPiLvH
— TampaBayTimesSports (@TBTimes_Sports) December 12, 2018
Around the League
- Brian Cashman says the Yanknees are “fully operational Death Star” which is not something you say if you know what happens to the Death Star... right? (fun comment though)
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- Former Closer Jeurys Familia is going to the Mets for 3/$30 million
- Boston closer candidate and “World Series hero” Joe Kelly is joining the Dodgers for 3/$25 million
- Lance Lynn is joining the Rangers for 3/$30 million
- The Reds traded guys named Tanner
- 1B Justin Bour is joining the... Angels?
- David Laurila interviewed Spink Award winner Jayson Stark
- Meg Rowley defended the Shift on MLB Now
I went on MLB Now and talked about why banning the shift would be goofy, among other things. It was great fun and I did not fall in the pool. https://t.co/PFH8TdSHQq
— Meg Rowley (@megrowler) December 13, 2018
- Steven Goldman joined Deadspin, writing about the busted Hall of Fame process
- Jose Canseco is ready to serve his country:
Hey little buddy @realDonaldTrump u need a bash brother for Chief if Staff. Got a secret reorg plan already. Also worried about you looking more like a Twinkie everyday. I will buff you up daily workouts. DM me. #yeswecanseco
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) December 13, 2018
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