MLB rumors: Why Yankees might miss on Astros’ Charlie Morton

by Felix Pantaleón

Houston Astros right-hander Charlie Morton will be a free agent following the 2018 World Series. New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will be shopping for starting pitching, with left-handers C.C. Sabathia and J.A. Happ also hitting the open market.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has identified his top priority for the offseason, and it should come as no surprise to anyone: starting pitching.

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That was the club’s biggest weakness in 2018, and it was exposed by the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series.

Cashman will have plenty of pitching options in free agency.

But he might have to cross one name off his list: Houston Astros right-hander Charlie Morton, who discussed his future plans following the Game 5 loss to the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series:

“I’d love to keep playing,” Morton said after last night’s game. “I’d love to be an Astro. I’d love to be a part of this again. Ultimately, it’s not really up to me. It’s not solely up to me.”

Morton has openly contemplated retirement following the World Series.

The 34-year-old is coming off the best season of his MLB career.

Morton went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 30 starts this season.

He’s won 29 games over the last two seasons in Houston, helping the club claim the World Series title in 2017.

Future of every Yankee

However he struggled in the ALCS against the Red Sox, lasting just 2.1 innings in Game 4, giving up three runs in the 8-6 loss to Boston.

Morton would be a good fit for the Yankees in that he won’t be looking for a long-term mega-contract.

Aside from Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees have more questions than answers in their rotation, including decisions to be made on free-agent left-handers C.C. Sabathia and J.A. Happ.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.