Charlie Morton Rediscovers Curveball, Emerges as Top Trade Chip—but Orioles Might Regret Letting Veteran Go During Playoff Push

As the MLB trade deadline draws near, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves at a difficult crossroads. While the club has surprised many by positioning itself in playoff contention thanks to its balanced roster and strong pitching staff, it now faces the real possibility of parting ways with one of its most intriguing veterans—Charlie Morton. The 40-year-old right-hander has quietly re-emerged as a reliable arm, largely thanks to rediscovering the pitch that once defined his career: the curveball.

Morton’s late-career renaissance has turned him into one of the league’s most valuable trade chips. But if the Orioles decide to move him, it could leave a void that’s felt deeply during the stretch run and potentially even in October.

A Pitch Reborn: Morton’s Signature Curveball Returns

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, many assumed Morton’s best days were behind him. His fastball velocity had dipped slightly, and his once-devastating breaking ball had become more predictable. But in 2025, something changed.

“Charlie came into spring training with a completely new energy,” said Orioles pitching coach Darren Holmes. “He worked all offseason to regain the feel on his curveball, and it’s been the difference-maker.”

Morton’s curveball, which he throws nearly 40% of the time, is once again generating high spin rates and late vertical drop. Batters are hitting just .182 against the pitch this season, according to Statcast data. His strikeout numbers have climbed, and most importantly, he’s showing the consistency needed from a veteran starter anchoring the middle of a rotation.

His 2025 stats—9-4 record, 3.35 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 112 strikeouts in 118 innings—don’t just reflect a bounce-back. They scream trade value.

A Surging Market: Teams Lining Up

With teams like the Dodgers, Brewers, and Astros all searching for one more veteran arm to solidify their rotations for the postseason, Morton has become an attractive option. His postseason experience, including clutch performances with the Astros and Braves in past years, makes him more valuable than most trade-deadline rentals.

An AL executive anonymously noted, “Morton’s curveball is back, and when that’s the case, you’re looking at a playoff weapon. Teams aren’t blind to that.”

Even at 40, his velocity has stabilized in the 92-94 mph range, and he’s kept hitters guessing with his refined pitch sequencing. More importantly, he’s proven durable, something many contenders covet in August and September.

Orioles’ Front Office Stuck in the Middle

Orioles General Manager Mike Elias now faces a defining decision: capitalize on Morton’s value and acquire prospects or keep him for a potential deep postseason run. Both paths have merit—but come with risks.

If the Orioles trade Morton, they’d likely receive a promising young bat or mid-tier pitching prospect, strengthening their farm system. But what message would that send to the clubhouse?

“You trade Charlie, and we all know what that means,” said one Orioles player anonymously. “It’s hard not to feel like we’re being told this year doesn’t matter.”

The Orioles have been without All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman for much of July, and the pitching staff has leaned on Morton to set the tone. Trading him now, amid that uncertainty, could destabilize a tightly-knit clubhouse chasing the franchise’s first AL East title since 2014.

Morton’s Perspective

For his part, Morton has remained professional, but candid.

“This has been a good place to pitch, and I like our chances,” Morton said following a win over the Yankees last week. “But I’ve been around long enough to know that anything can happen.”

He’s said little about the trade rumors but has continued to produce quality starts. Behind the scenes, teammates say Morton has emerged as a quiet leader, mentoring younger pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall on game prep, pitch selection, and composure.

“He’s been huge for me,” said Rodriguez. “His advice, his routines, the way he attacks hitters—it’s something you can only learn from a guy who’s been there.”

Trade Regret Looms Large

The last time the Orioles traded a productive veteran at the deadline, they dealt Andrew Cashner to the Red Sox in 2019. The return was minimal, and Cashner’s departure helped accelerate a late-season collapse.

Morton is a better pitcher than Cashner ever was—and his postseason pedigree makes him unique. He’s made 14 playoff appearances and owns a 3.38 ERA in those high-pressure moments. For a young Orioles team, having Morton toe the rubber in a must-win game could be a huge asset.

Letting him go could mirror the mistake the Athletics made in trading Rich Hill in 2016—moving a stabilizing veteran for the future, only to watch the team crumble down the stretch.

Could the Orioles Get Creative?

Rather than a full trade, there’s buzz that the Orioles could pursue a hybrid solution—trading Morton in a package for a bat while also acquiring another veteran starter, perhaps a rental like Jack Flaherty or a controllable arm like Jordan Montgomery.

This approach would preserve competitiveness while adding assets. But it requires a delicate balance. The chemistry in the clubhouse is fragile, and swapping out a respected veteran might create more problems than it solves.

“Charlie brings more than just innings,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He’s been invaluable in the locker room. That matters.”

Morton’s curveball has been his calling card for over a decade. By refining it and turning back the clock, he’s not only revived his own career but put the Orioles in a bind. Trade him, and they risk weakening their rotation and sending the wrong message. Keep him, and they miss a chance to sell high on a 40-year-old pitcher having an outlier season.

Whatever the decision, Morton’s impact on the 2025 Orioles is undeniable. And if they trade him and fall short in October, they may look back on this as the moment they let a golden opportunity—and a reliable arm—slip away.

One thing is clear: Charlie Morton’s curveball is back, and it’s going to shape the Orioles’ future, one way or another.