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The Tampa Bay Rays have finalized their deal with right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton, as the veteran pitcher officially signed a two-year, $30M contract with an option for a third season that could pay him up to $15M.
Morton, 35, is coming off his 11th season in the majors. He has spent time with the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, and Houston Astros, with whom he enjoyed the most success of his career, including winning a World Series title in 2017. This past season may have been the best of Morton’s career as he posted a 3.13 ERA and 3.59 FIP over 167 innings pitched, posting the highest K% of his career with a mark of 28.9 percent.
The contract is largest single-season amount given to a player in a Rays history, surpassing David Price’s $14M mark in 2014. The largest free agent contract given out in franchise history belongs to Greg Vaughn, who had a four-year, $34-million contract.
Earlier Friday, the Rays created space on the 40-man roster by sending minor league pitchers Brock Burke and Kyle Bird to Texas.