Charlie Morton has been around the block in the baseball world.
The veteran starting pitcher has played for five different teams since 2015, and he’s in the midst of his 14th MLB season.
Funnily enough, his current team, the Atlanta Braves, was also the one that drafted him way back in 2002.
The righty came up in Atlanta’s system and made his MLB debut with the team in 2008.
His first stint with the big-league Braves didn’t last very long, though.
The organization traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 2008 season ended.
That marked the start of Morton’s adventure around the league.
He can best be described as a journeyman.
But somehow, someway, he found his way back to where he began.
He signed a one-year deal with the Braves prior to the 2021 season, and the results have been outstanding.
In fact, the 37-year-old has been so productive this season that the organization decided to ink him to an extension on Tuesday.
Here’s what you need to know about the new deal.
Morton’s Extension Will Keep Him With The Team Through At Least 2022
The details of the deal are pretty simple.
Morton will make $20 million in 2022, a nice pay raise from the $15 million he’s making this season.
If the Braves like what they see from Morton next year, they’ll have the ability to exercise a club option on him for the 2023 campaign.
That option is also worth $20 million.
All things considered, it’s a great deal for both sides.
"It was getting hard for me to look at next year and think that I wasn't going to play. And I love it here."
Charlie Morton discusses his decision to sign a contract extension with the @Braves. pic.twitter.com/OPllLLgnKj
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 7, 2021
The Braves would certainly love to make a title run with Morton before his time with the team expires.
Let’s Take A Look At Why The Braves Extended Morton
The Braves didn’t extend Morton for no reason.
They did it because he’s working on a sensational campaign.
The former third-round pick has a 3.47 ERA, 3.29 FIP, ad 1.06 WHIP across 28 starts this season.
He has fanned a whopping 185 batters in 158 innings, giving him an impressive K/9 of 10.5.
Charlie Morton, 97mph RDTD Fastball…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/LRUrDkAKQG
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 1, 2021
He has been especially dominant over the past couple of months, as he has a 2.86 ERA over his last 11 starts.
With Atlanta being is in the midst of a major playoff push, he’s getting hot at the perfect time.
Extending Morton Makes A Lot Of Sense Given Atlanta’s Trajectory As A Team
The Braves are ready to win now.
Atlanta’s future is exceptionally bright, and the team’s window to win is going to last a very long time.
The club has made the playoffs in three straight years, and it looks like this season could mark four straight.
For that reason, it makes all the sense in the world for the Braves to want to keep important pieces around—even players who might be out of the league in a few years (like Morton).
Because of the way the new deal is structured, there’s very little long-term risk involved.
Worst-case scenario, the team cuts ties with Morton after 2022.
Best-case scenario, the team holds onto him for as long as he remains productive.
As long as the organization plays its cards right, the extension has virtually no chance of turning into a mistake.
NEXT: Braves Need To Ensure Freddie Freeman Never Wears Another Uniform