ESPN's Buster Olney reports the Braves are preparing to exercise Charlie Morton's 2024 team option

ESPN Senior Writer Buster Olney dropped a report last night that the Atlanta Braves are preparing to exercise Charlie Morton's $20M team option for 2024.

Citing unnamed sources, Olney caveats that the decision isn't final and still awaits confirmation from Morton, who turns 40 this November, that he intends to pitch for another season rather than retiring.

Morton's 2023 season has been very similar to his 2021, with a 3.42 ERA in his 28 starts and 14 wins in both seasons. 2023 has seen a higher loss total, however, as Morton took only eight losses in 2021 and sits at 11 through September 12th.

Morton has seen similar strikeout rates this season to his first two seasons in Atlanta, striking out 10.1 batters per nine innings compared to 10.5 in 2021 and 10.7 in 2023. Olney connects this to an improved breaking ball and maintenance of Morton's exceptional velocity, with his fastball averaging 95 miles per hour.

Still, there's reasons to be concerned about Morton's effectiveness going forward. His walk rate spiked to 11.1%, in only the 15th percentile in baseball, and Morton's fastball has been knocked around this season despite the velocity, with a -11 run value (8th percentile in MLB) and a .468 slugging percentage allowed on the pitch.

But assuming Morton wants to play next season, general manager Alex Anthopoulos would be foolish to not pick up the option. $20M is a pittance for a reliable #3 starter on the open market, with last season's free agent class signing for an average of $5.4M per one game of WAR - Morton's delivered 3.6 WAR this season and paces to come close to 4 WAR before counting the postseason, so he's still a value compared to the inflated prices on the free agent market.

There's also the fact that Atlanta's used a franchise-record 16 different starters this season, with only three of those being relievers working in an "opener" capacity.

Morton's obviously still valuable to this organization and picking up the 2024 option is as close to a no-brainer as you're going to see as far as roster decisions are concerned.

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