Hyeseong Kim signs massive $12.5 million deal with the Dodgers

In Baltimore, veteran right-hander Charlie Morton officially signed a contract with the Orioles on January 3, 2025. At 41 years old, this marks Morton’s 18th season in Major League Baseball, showcasing his longevity and experience in the sport. Having previously played for teams including the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, Morton has been a reliable pitcher throughout his career. Last season, he pitched a total of 165 1/3 innings for the Braves, registering a record of 8 wins to 10 losses and maintaining an ERA of 4.19. The Orioles are looking to bolster their starting rotation, especially after losing ace Corbin Burnes to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who secured Burnes with a substantial $210 million contract. To complement Morton, the Orioles also acquired Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old pitcher from Japan, on a one-year deal worth $13 million. This strategy of bringing in veteran pitchers on one-year deals has been characteristic of Orioles' general manager Mike Elias, as seen in past acquisitions like Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles, aiming to solidify the team’s performance in further playoff runs. Morton is recognized for his resilience and ability to consistently make starts throughout the season. Notably, he has made at least 30 starts each full season since 2018, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. With a career record of 138 wins and 123 losses, Morton boasts a commendable performance history, particularly in high-stakes games, including his standout role as the hero of Game 7 of the World Series in 2017 with the Astros. The Orioles, having reached the playoffs in the previous two seasons but being eliminated in the initial series, are hopeful that adding a seasoned pitcher like Morton will help them advance further. As they continue their offseason adjustments, the team’s focus remains on creating a competitive rotation to enhance their playoff prospects.