One Trade at a Time - First, the Morton Deal

2016 Chachi New Additions #9

2015 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #29

While I'm still trying to digest the blockbuster deal just announced with the Astros, I first need to acknowledge the relatively smaller Phillies trade announced this morning.  The Phils acquired starting pitcher Charlie Morton from the Pirates for minor league pitching prospect David Whitehead. Morton has spent the bulk of his career with the Pirates, having come to Pittsburgh in a trade with the Braves back in 2009.  In 158 career games, Morton is 45-70 with a 4.54 ERA.

Last season, he went 9-9 with a 4.81 ERA and he'll fill in nicely in the Phillies suddenly full starting pitching rotation in 2016.  The Phillies owe him $8 million for this upcoming season and they hold a team option to bring him back for 2017.

A third round pick by the Braves in 2002, Morton's first cards popped up in Bowman and Upper Deck releases that same year.  He appeared in his first Topps flagship set in 2012 and his most recent card can be found in the 2015 Topps set.

Whitehead (from Elon University) was drafted by the Phillies in the 34th round of the 2013 draft.  He went 9-11 with a 4.44 ERA in 25 starts last season for the High-A Clearwater Threshers.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Morton, pitcher A.J. Achter was designated for assignment. Achter had only been property of the Phillies for a little over three weeks, and I'd have to think he'll come back to the club on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Moving On - 2015-2016 Offseason

• Chase d'Arnaud - inf (10/9/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent the Atlanta Braves, 11/24/15.
• Justin De Fratus - rhp (10/9/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with the Seattle Mariners, 12/2/15.
• Erik Kratz - c (10/9/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Sean O'Sullivan - rhp (10/9/15) - Elected free agency.
• Kevin Correia - rhp (10/10/15) - Elected free agency.
• Adam Loewen - lhp (10/10/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks, 11/7/15.
• Dustin McGowan - rhp (10/10/15) - Elected free agency.
• Seth Rosin - rhp (10/10/15) - Elected free agency.
• Brian Bogusevic (10/26/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League, 12/9/15.
• Domonic Brown (10/26/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Chad Billingsley - rhp (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Jeff Francoeur - of (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Aaron Harang - rhp (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Jerome Williams - rhp (11/2/15) - Elected free agency.
• Cliff Lee - lhp (11/2/15) - Team option declined and elected free agency.
• Jordan Danks - of (11/6/15) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Ethan Martin - rhp (11/6/15) - Elected free agency.
• Jonathan Pettibone - rhp (11/6/15) - Elected free agency.
• Nefi Ogando - rhp (12/2/15) - Claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.

New Additions - 2015-2016 Offseason

• Dan Otero - rhp (11/3/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Oakland Athletics.
• Jeremy Hellickson - rhp (11/14/15) - Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Sam McWilliams.
• A.J. Achter - rhp (11/20/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. (Designated for assignment 12/12/15)
• Michael Mariot - rhp (11/30/15) - Claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Royals.
• Peter Bourjos - of (12/2/15) - Claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
• David Hernandez - rhp (12/9/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• Tyler Goeddel - of (12/10/15) - Selected from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Rule 5 draft.
• Daniel Stumpf - lhp (12/10/15) - Selected from the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 draft.
• Charlie Morton - rhp (12/12/15) - Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for David Whitehead.