Veteran right-hander has seemingly been mulling retirement for more than a half decade, but hes continued his career on a series of one-year deals, leaving open the po sibility that each succe sive year will be his last. That wont be the case with 2024, however. that Morton intends to suit up for an 18th MLB season next year. Morton, who turns 41 today ( Logan O'connor Jersey happy birthday, Charlie!), has spent the past four seasons in Atlanta, anchoring the rotation as a durable innings eater amid frequent injury troubles throughout the rest of the starting staff. Despite those years representing his age-37 through age-40 campaigns, Morton has made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 163 1/3 innings each of the past four seasons. Hes provided more than just bulk work, as well; in 686 1/3 innings for the Braves, the grizzled righty has pitched to a sharp 3.87 ERA while striking out 26.6% of his opponents against a 9.3% walk rate. The 2024 season wasnt Mortons best in Atlanta but was still a solid year all around. He logged 165 1/3 frames and turned in a 4.19 earned run average. Last years 23.8% strikeout rate was Mortons lowest since his late-career breakout with the Astros, which began in his age-33 season, but it was still enough to check in about a percentage point north of league-average. Mortons 9.3% walk rate was worse than average but marked an improvement over the career-worst 11.6% mark he turned in during the 2023 season. His 46.3% grounder rate was strong, and he generally did a fine job avoiding hard contact. It wasnt the Cy Young-caliber performance Morton flashed in his 2018-19 peak, but it was a fine showing for a veteran third or fourth starter. Logically speaking, a reunion with the Braves seems po sible. Atlanta is looking for innings behind staff leaders , and . Young ace will mi s the beginning of the season as he continues mending from last years UCL surgery. Longtime Atlanta star is a free agent and seems likely to sign elsewhere on a contract beyond the Braves comfort zone. Morton has also been happy to pitch in the southeast region of the country, close to his young family in Florida. On the other hand, the Braves are all but certain to pay the luxury tax for a third straight season this year. Thatll mean at least a 50% tax on any dollars over the luxury barrier, and perhaps more depending on the extent by which they surpa s this years $241MM mark. Morton earned $15MM from 2019-21 and has been paid $20MM in each of the past three seasons in Atlanta. Even if hes likely looking at a pay cut from that level, he should still be able to land a salary north of $10MM, barring an unexpected discount to pitch in a locale of his preference. For an Atlanta club also looking to upgrade at shortstop and add to the bullpen in the wake of s injury, a hefty one-year price tag on whatd be a fourth or fifth starter for them when or if everyone is healthy might be a bridge too far. , the Braves current luxury projection is already at $228MM just $13MM shy of this years threshold. If Morton does end up leaving the Braves, its likely hell land with a contending club. At age 41, hes unlikely to sign on for any rebuilding efforts or to mentor a group of young arms. Hell look for an opportunity to pitch in the middle of what already looks like a postseason staff, adding some stability and significantly raising the floor of a new clubs rotation. Morton would also have the chance to reach some more personal milestones; Morton is 12 wins shy of 150 in his career and would have a realistic chance at moving into the top-70 all time in strikeouts (hes currently 82nd). With a strong performance in 2025, he could also nudge his career ERA under 4.00. He entered the 2024 season at 4.00 flat and raised it to 4.01 with this seasons 4.19 performance. Jacob Macdonald Jersey