Yankees should take hard pass on free agent Charlie Morton

After 11 big league seasons, Charlie Morton made his first All-Star team. However, at almost 35, his struggles in Game 4 of the ALCS should be all the proof the Yankees need to steer clear of the right-handed free agent.

Charlie Morton has been mostly spectacular for the Astros since joining the club in 2017. Yankees fans got a first-hand glimpse of him in last years ALCS — and although Morton struggled through 8.2 innings of seven-hit, eight-run ball, he still managed to go 1-1, striking out eight and eventually helped the Astros win a world championship.

However, Morton battled a shoulder injury toward the end of this season and appeared only once in the postseason — allowing three runs on three hits across 53 pitches, walking two and striking out two in Game 4 of the ALCS.

Although his regular season numbers earned him his first All-Star appearance in 11 big league seasons, the Yankees need to take caution when vetting potential free agent pitchers this offseason.

On paper, Morton’s 15-3 record, 3.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 201:64 K:BB ratio in 167 innings looks enticing; however, he allowed 18 home run and hit a league-high 16 batters.

More from Yankees News

• Yankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates
• Mets stealing New York Post’s entire Yankees offseason plan is hilarious
• Yankees add to championship core with Wilmer Difo signing
• Aaron Judge’s ‘breadcrumbs’ showed he was never leaving Yankees, has more moves in mind
• Yankees analyst Cameron Maybin projects surprise landing spot for Gary Sánchez

Call me picky, but prior to coming to Houston, Charlie Morton was a backend of the rotation arm, never winning more than 10 games in a season, which he did for the Pirates back in 2011 at the age of 27.

Whether or not you believe Indians pitcher, Trevor Bauer, that Astros pitchers are somehow “doctoring” baseballs to dramatically affect their spin rate, Morton has gone 29-10 with a 3.36 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 over the past two seasons.

Naturally, Morton is hopeful of a return to Houston, following his clubs ALCS Game 5 defeat to the Red Sox. Though he spoke openly about retirement after winning the World Series in ’17, Morton had this to say to NJ.com.

"“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.”"

The Yankees need to find their own diamond in the rough. Entering his age-35 season, the same money Morton would likely command ($7 million salary in 2018) should be spent on retaining a similarly aged, yet left-handed J.A. Happ — who has already proven he can win in the AL East.

Morton coming to the Bronx would be chock-full of unknowns, and if the Yanks are looking to assemble a World Series caliber rotation, the only question marks should happen in the variety of homegrown prospects like Justus Sheffield, Jonathan Loaisiga or Chance Adams. Enough with the stopgaps. Let’s find out if these kids can pitch!

Signing a legit No. 2 like Patrick Corbin needs to be the first offseason priority. From their general manager, Brian Cashman can shock the baseball universe as he’s become accustomed to doing.