So you’re saying there’s a chance? Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow remains focused on finding a starting pitcher ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline. That quest could lead Breslow to the Baltimore Orioles, who continue to shop Charlie Morton.
“Some of the more coveted starters aren’t having their best years — including Zac Gallen (5.60 ERA), Charlie Morton (5.48) and Sandy Alcantara (6.66),” the New York Post’s Jon Heyman wrote Tuesday. “But with strong track records (and a playoff résumé in Morton’s case), plus a weak starter market, all are drawing significant interest.
“Gallen and Morton should go somewhere, but with Alcantara under control next year, the Marlins may hold him,” Heyman added. “The Red Sox, Mets, Yankees, Astros, Padres and Rays are among possibilities for Morton.”
That sentiment was echoed by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden. “The buzz from the MLB GM Community believe that the starting pitching market is robust and moving fast including: Sandy Alcantara, Dylan Cease, Mackenzie Gore, Joe Ryan, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly & Mitch Keller … it’s going to be a fascinating 47 hours,” Bowden posted Tuesday on X.
The #Orioles have received solid returns w/first 2 trades – now focused on moving rest of expiring contracts like (Ryan) O’Hearn, (Cedric) Mullins & Morton,” Bowden added.
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Morton made what could have been his final start with the Orioles on Tuesday. He gave up three runs in six innings of work, picking up the win in Baltimore’s 16-4 beatdown of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The right-hander gave up eight hits while striking out two and walking three batters. Morton threw 100 pitches (64 strikes) and improved to 7-8 this season with a 5.42 ERA.
The 41-year-old has settled down after a rough start, and has not given up more than three runs in seven of his last eight starts.
Morton’s resume includes a pair of All-Star appearances and two World Series titles: 2017 with the Houston Astros and 2021 with the Atlanta Braves.
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According to Spotrac, Morton is making $15 million this season and will be a free agent in the winter.
The Red Sox need starting pitching after losing Hunter Dobbins to a season-ending torn ACL and placing Tanner Houck back on the injured list.
