Reports: Morton agrees to two-year deal with Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a two-year, $30 million deal with free agent right-hander Charlie Morton, according to multiple reports. The Rays aren't expected to formally announce the deal until Morton passes a physical. The deal includes an option for 2021. Morton, 35, posted career bests in victories, ERA and strikeouts last season when he went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 30 starts for the Houston Astros. He made the All-Star team for the first time in his career. Morton also went 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA in 25 starts for the Astros in 2017. Landing Morton gives the Rays a solid No. 2 starter behind left-hander Blake Snell, who won the American League Cy Award in 2018. Overall, Morton is 75-81 with a 4.23 ERA in 217 career appearances (216 starts) over 11 seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2008), Pittsburgh Pirates (2009-15), Philadelphia Phillies (2016) and Astros. --Field Level Media