Astros Sign Charlie Morton To Two-Year, $14 Million Deal

The Houston Astros announced Wednesday the signing of right-handed starting pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year deal. 

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Morton's deal is worth $14 million. Incentives can push the total to $19 million. Morton will earn $625,000 each for making 15, 20, 25 and 30 starts in both 2017 and 2018. 

The 33-year-old Morton made just four starts with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. He tore his left hamstring on Apr. 23 and was out for the remainder of the season. 

Morton could potentially be a serviceable option for Houston in a weak market for starting pitchers. His curveball, in particular, provides upside, and the Astros began to value the curve more as the 2016 season went on. He will slide into the rotation alongside Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Mike Fiers and Lance McCullers. 

Last year, Morton went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA and a 19-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 17 1/3 innings pitched. 

His last full season was in 2015, while he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That year, Morton went 9-9 with a 4.81 ERA and a 96-41 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 129 innings pitched. 

For his career, Morton has a 4.54 ERA and a 1.87 K/BB ratio. He has struggled staying on the field, dealing with injuries such as a torn UCL, sports hernia, and hip surgery, among others. In fact, he has not made 30 starts at any season throughout his career. 

In his introductory press conference with the Astros, Morton said that he should be ready to go for 2017.

"I'm where I would hope to be and expect to be," he said. 

​--Devan Fink

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