Agent: Morton wants to play in 2021, prefers Rays return
Charlie Morton may still have some baseball left in him after all.
Morton wants to play in 2021, but only if the right fit presents itself, his agent, B.B. Abbott, told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
The 36-year-old's preference is to continue pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays due to their close proximity to his Florida home, but Abbott added his client will also consider other teams.
Morton will “keep an open mind” regarding proposals from teams other than the #Rays, Abbott said. Morton, 36, has cited a desire to spend time with his four children as a significant priority in his life. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 2, 2020
Morton recently mentioned he was undecided about whether to play next season if the Rays didn't exercise his 2021 option. Tampa Bay declined the $15-million option Friday.
"The unknowns with COVID and this offseason, I don't know what negotiations are going to look like with the league," Morton said in October, according to MLB.com's Juan Toribio. "I don't know what the situation is going to be like with our country or worldwide with the virus, what kind of protocols will be in place next year, or even what job opportunities I'll have next year."
Morton went 18-8 with a 3.33 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 42 starts for the Rays over the last two seasons.
The two-time All-Star finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2019.