Houston Astros should pursue Charlie Morton in free agency

The Tampa Bay Rays declined their option on Charlie Morton, making him a free agent. The Houston Astros should bring him back.

According to multiple reports, the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays declined their options on two players – Charlie Morton and Mike Zunino. The Houston Astros would do well to pursue a reunion with Morton, who was a key piece of their 2017 World Series team.

Morton has had a fantastic tenure with the Rays, being a Cy Young finalist in 2019 with 194 innings of work with a 3.04 ERA. This past year, his regular numbers weren’t that great, but in the postseason, he was dominant.

I think the Astros should pursue him for two reasons. One, I think it would be great to see him finish his career in Houston where he helped us win the 2017 World Series. Two, he could help a young pitching staff with veteran experience and knowledge.

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In his two-year stint in Houston, Morton went 29-10 with a 3.36 ERA in 55 starts. As I mentioned earlier, he helped clinch the World Series in Los Angeles with 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings with a stellar 1.74 ERA.

I really think he could be an asset to the pitching staff because he could really help out our young pitchers with his knowledge and postseason experience. Those two things alone can really help develop our young pitchers into studs when the Astros need them. I could also see him being a valuable arm in the regular rotation behind Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers, Framber Valdez and Jose Urquidy.

Morton will be 37 next season and who knows how much longer he will pitch in the Major Leagues. Owner Jim Crane and GM James Click should open up their checkbooks and make sure there is a spot for him with a reasonable offer for Morton to ride off into the sunset with Houston.

I think if the Astros can help their pitching rotation in some way, I really am confident this team could compete for another American League title and get back the World Series again. As long as we get our offensive struggles worked out and our pitching improves, watch out American League.