The Atlanta Braves have fought their way back to a winning record in the NL East, but something still seems off with this team. It’s hard not to think about what they lost during the offseason — especially in their pitching staff.
Meanwhile, no team has underperformed more than the 15-28 Baltimore Orioles, who dismissed manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday in a last-ditch effort to salvage a sinking season. Realistically, Hyde’s firing probably won’t fix much, but it could be the beginning of a broader overhaul in Baltimore.
If the Orioles decide to shift their focus to the future or tear things down, one name that should interest Atlanta is Charlie Morton. The veteran right-hander signed a one-year, $15 million deal with Baltimore last offseason to replace the departing Corbin Burnes — a move that clearly hasn’t panned out. In 11 appearances (six starts), Morton has posted a disastrous 8.25 ERA and 1.88 WHIP.
At 41 years old, some of Morton’s struggles may be attributed to age, though situational factors could also be playing a role. While never a dominant ace, he served as a reliable mid-rotation starter for the Braves last season and had done so for years. It’s a reminder that sometimes the grass isn’t greener elsewhere.
Interestingly, Orioles fans might welcome a Morton-Braves reunion just as much — if not more — than Braves fans. Morton is currently 0-7 and clearly having a tough year. If Baltimore decides to move on, Atlanta could consider offering him a minor-league deal with the chance to work back up to the majors. Morton nearly retired last offseason, so it’s unclear how much longer he wants to pitch, but if he does continue, Atlanta makes the most sense given his history and comfort level there.
The Braves still need depth in their rotation after losing both Morton and Max Fried to free agency. While Morton might not displace current options like Bryce Elder or AJ Smith-Shawver, he could serve as a valuable long-relief option or injury fill-in. Plus, with a stronger chance to contend than Baltimore, Atlanta might be a more appealing landing spot for Morton at this point in his career.
Atlanta’s rotation remains in flux — Spencer Strider has made just one start, and health concerns linger around Chris Sale and Reynaldo López. While some promising young pitchers are emerging, Morton could offer dependable insurance, if not a regular rotation spot.
Bringing Morton back seems to make sense for everyone involved. It might be time to make that call.
