Yesterday, it was announced Charlie Morton will not be returning for a fifth season with the Braves, as he inked a one-year, $15 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
The now 41-year-old Morton certainly regressed in a number of areas in 2024. His 4.19 ERA was the second-highest mark of his tenure in Atlanta, and his 4.49 FIP was the highest it’s been since 2008, when he was a rookie with the Braves. His strikeout rate also began to experience a sharp decline over the last two seasons, from 28.2% in 2022 to 23.8% in 2024.
However, Charlie Morton was still a durable veteran with more than respectable numbers. He made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 163 innings in all four seasons with the Braves and was punching out over a batter per nine innings last year, featuring a breaking ball that was still one of the most effective offerings across baseball.
It’s possible the Braves can replicate Morton’s production internally. AJ Smith-Shawver is among the organization’s top prospects, and after a few cups of coffee at the major-league level, it feels about time the Braves give him a legitimate opportunity in Atlanta, allowing him to sink or swim.
However, the best option to replace Morton might actually be Grant Holmes, who I pegged as my breakout candidate for the team in 2025. After a decade in the minors, Holmes finally got a shot last year with the Braves, posting a 3.56 ERA, 1.185WHIP, and 9.2 K/9 over 68.1 innings, including seven starts. Alex Anthopoulos has already hinted they would like to see more of him in the rotation, and as the offseason progresses, it’s looking like he could be a permanent starting pitcher for the team in 2025.
But even with some promising internal candidates, the Braves should be looking to add at least one more proven commodity to their rotation. Spencer Strider is coming off major surgery and is expected to miss at least a month of the season. There’s no telling what to expect when he returns, even if he’s among the most talented pitchers in the game.
On top of that, the healthy arms come with concerns as well. Chris Sale has only had one healthy season in the last six years. Reynaldo Lopez spent multiple stints on the IL due to fatigue as he made the transition from the bullpen to the rotation, and Spencer Schwellenbach has yet to pitch a full season at any level professionally.
If one of Sale, Lopez, Strider, or Schwellenbach misses significant time — which is highly likely — things could get dicey quickly. That’s where a guy like Charlie Morton becomes so valuable, and at one year for $15 million, it’s difficult to imagine the Braves finding better value elsewhere.
Of course, the offseason is far from over, so nothing can be judged until it is finished. But if no more significant additions are made, not bringing back Morton at that price point is a head-scratcher.
