Braves exercise option on Morton, decline options on Rosario, McHugh, Yates

ATLANTA -- The Braves can cross at least one starting pitcher off their offseason needs list. But they are now in the market for a left fielder.

Charlie Morton received an early birthday present when the Braves exercised his $20 million option for the 2024 season. The veteran hurler, who will turn 40 on Sunday, has spent each of the past three seasons as a key piece in Atlanta’s rotation.

All MLB teams had until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to decide whether to exercise any contract options for 2024. The Braves opted to decline the options for left fielder Eddie Rosario ($9 million), right-handed reliever Collin McHugh ($6 million), right-handed reliever Kirby Yates ($5.75 million) and left-handed reliever Brad Hand ($7 million). Each of these players is now a free agent.

Rosario gained legendary status in Atlanta when he was named the National League Championship Series MVP on the way to helping the Braves win the 2021 World Series. The left-handed slugger battled vision issues in 2022 but came back to hit .255 with 21 homers and a .755 OPS this year. His option didn’t include a buyout.

With the Braves declining Rosario’s option, they will now look for a primary left fielder. The right-handed-hitting Kevin Pillar, who shared the position with Rosario this year, is also now a free agent. There’s a chance Vaughn Grissom will attempt to play some outfield next year. But the Braves will likely first look for a proven option via the trade or free-agent markets.

Morton remains a part of the Braves' rotation along with Spencer Strider, Max Fried and Bryce Elder. Ian Anderson will become a candidate after he completes his Tommy John rehab a couple months into the 2024 season. But Kyle Wright will miss all of next season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Wright’s absence certainly enhanced the need to extend the relationship with Morton, who posted a 3.64 ERA while completing 163 1/3 innings over 30 starts in 2023. He suffered a right index finger strain on Sept. 22 and was unavailable during the NL Division Series. But he has shown durability while making at least 30 starts during each of his past three seasons with Atlanta.

Yates missed most of the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John and struggled to find consistent command early this year. He posted a 3.28 ERA over 61 appearances. But the Braves decided it would be better to give him his $1.25 million buyout rather than commit $5.75 million to him next season.

McHugh will receive a $1 million buyout after posting a 4.30 ERA over 41 appearances during an injury-plagued season. Hand will receive a $500,000 buyout after producing a 7.50 ERA over the 20 appearances he made after being acquired from the Rockies before the Trade Deadline.