Morton had been inconsistent and oft-injured since arriving from the Braves in the Nate McLouth trade back in 2009,but did put together a nice season (7-4 3.26 ERA) in 2013 before two less than strong seasons the last two years.
Morton was scheduled to make eight million in 2016 with a mutual option for 2017,so a team in the financial position of the Pirates could make an argument that I agree with-that a player that delivers such numbers is quite replaceable at a cheaper rate.
I've never been a Morton fan,so this deal doesn't disappoint me,but the team will have to step up and find someone to add to the rotation whether through trade or the minors.
I'm sure that the team has a preference for that player to be righthanded as the four scheduled starters have a 3 to 1 lefty bias (Francisco Liriano,Jon Niese and Jeff Locke to Gerrit Cole).
The Pirates don't really have anyone ready in the minors with Nick Kingham recovering from Tommy John surgery,Jameson Taillon missing all last season and ideally the team giving Tyler Glasnow a few months seasoning in AAA Indianapolis.
If I had to guess,this was a money dump in order to bring in a new starter and eight million could go a long way towards bringing in a reclamation project to fill the rotation,
I doubt that will add one of the better remaining arms,but it might attract someone for a one year deal that wants to re-establish themselves as a viable 2017 contract.
Three names that interest me as a season filler as free agents are Jeremy Guthrie (Royals),Justin Masterson (Cardinals) and Doug Fister (Nationals).
All three are pitchers down on the luck,but had success in the past and may look at the Pirates success in rehabbing careers (Francisco Liriano,A.J.Burnett and Edinson Volquez to start) as a way to join that list.
As far as David Whitehead goes,I consider him a fringe prospect at best.
Whitehead spent his first full season at High A Clearwater and posted a less than exciting season as a Thresher (25 starts 9-11 in 25 starts).
Whitehead also doesn't appear to miss bats (94 strikeouts in 135 innings) and at 24 by next season's start doesn't strike me as much more than an organization soldier.
Perhaps the Pirates see some potential in a possible bullpen move,but otherwise headed for organizational soldier status.
I'd expect Whitehead to return to High A with Bradenton or a chances of AA Altoona....
I hope to finally knock out a podcast out tonight.
Last night,I actually had all my equipment out and ready to go and duty called,so I'll try to put that up tonight.....
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