Mets Rumors: Charlie Morton seems like a real possibility for the 2021 staff

Oct 23, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game three of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game three of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The latest New York Mets rumors have linked the club to free agent pitcher Charlie Morton.

Anyone up for some Charlie Morton in 2021? According to the latest New York Mets rumors, the veteran hurler could be headed to Flushing next season.

Coming off a down year where he posted a 4.74 ERA for the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays, Morton is available and reportedly someone the Mets are interested in assigning.

Normally, a 4.74 ERA wouldn’t get too many people excited. However, considering what Morton did from 2017-2019, I think some fans are willing to reconsider their stance.

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Morton is the ultimate story of a late-bloomer. Until 2017, his age 33 season, he had only ever won double-digit games once in his career. Something clicked in 2017. He has been one of the league’s better arms, going as far as to finish third in the 2019 AL Cy Young vote.

This is the first time Morton has actually appeared in any offseason Mets rumors. This isn’t his first time being speculated about as a match for the Mets.

You may recall, Morton is one of two players MLB Trade Rumors predicted the Mets would sign this winter. Along with J.T. Realmuto, Morton is the only other top fifty free agent their team believes could be headed to Flushing.

Morton may not excite us the same way Trevor Bauer does, but he certainly could fit in well with the 2021 staff. A fresh 37-years-old, he’s a candidate to sign a one or two-year deal with the Mets before retirement inevitably comes calling.

The big question about Morton has been where he’s willing to pitch next season. The East Coast and Florida are thought to be the best two matches. The Mets fit right in there geographical.

Plus, they can probably pay him more than any other team while still giving him a chance to add a second World Series ring to his collection.

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Seeing Morton’s name appear in some early offseason Mets rumors should get fans excited regardless of what they think of him. It shows the team is willing to turn over every stone in their quest to rebuild a starting rotation in need of some big help.