LAS VEGAS _ The Rays added a veteran starter to their pitching staff, agreeing to a two-year, $30 million deal with right-hander Charlie Morton that includes a 2021 option.
The team has not confirmed or announced the deal, which is pending a physical.
Morton, 35, was most recently with the Astros, going 14-7, 3.62 in 2017 and 15-3, 3.13 last year, posting career bests in wins, ERA, WHIP 1.16, strikeouts 201.
Morton features a fastball that averaged 96 mph last season, but the key to his success with the Astros was increased use of his curveball.
Morton was somewhat of a bargain for the Astros, making $14 million in salary plus around $4 million in incentives total for the last two years.
The Astros declined to make him a $17.9 million qualifying offer, but were said to be interested in bringing him back. He floated the idea of retiring to spend more time with his family, but obviously teams showed him the merit in signing.
Though much of the attention has been on the Rays' search for an impact bat, manager Kevin Cash has been among those pushing the idea of adding another proven starter.
Morton will join left-hander Blake Snell, the AL Cy Young award winner, and presumably right-hander Tyler Glasnow as traditional starters in a rotation likely to include two openers.
Morton is also the answer to an interesting baseball trivia question, the first player in MLB history to earn the win in Game 7 of an LCS and the World Series in the same season. He started Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS for Houston and worked the first five innings, then came in to pitch the final four innings in the World Series clincher.
