For the Tigers and the team’s fans, there were certainly high hopes heading into the MLB trade deadline on Thursday. While Detroit added a bevy of new arms, there was no star among them, which appears to be a missed opportunity–the Tigers are tied for the best record in the American League, at 65-47, and in a wide-open playoff field, reinforcements would have been welcomed.
But the big name that the Tigers did bring in–Charlie Morton–will be taking with him some rather uninspiring statistics. Morton was 7-8 in Baltimore with a 5.42 ERA, his worst since 2010, and a 1.559 WHIP, also his worst in that span. At age 41, it sure looks like Morton is in over his head.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday, he admitted he was far more a part of the disappointing season in Baltimore instead of its anecdote.
“You sign a nice contract with a team that’s got a lot of expectations,” said Morton, via the Free Press. “A lot of good dudes, young exciting team that’s had some success in the past couple years, done some special things, and it was really tough to not only not contribute but to be a part of the problem.”
Charlie Morton Made Delivery Changes
But Morton pointed out that, in late May, he began making adjustments with Orioles coaches, getting back to a more consistent, smooth delivery after a brief bullpen stint.
“It wasn’t anything like crazy,” Morton said. “It wasn’t anything radical. It was just kind of getting back to kind of who I am on the mound, where I’m a little bit smoother and things kind of flow a little bit more. …
“I think it really just stemmed from that foundation not being there of my lower half and how I move.”
The change has paid off. He is 7-1 in his last 11 starts, going 60.1 innings and allowing 62 hits with just 24 walks and 61 strikeouts.
Rough Start in Baltimore
Morton admitted, too, that his first two months in Baltimore were especially frustrating. He relies heavily on his curveball, and it was just not working.
“Here I am towards the end of my career, 41 years old, not getting anybody out,” Morton said. “My best pitch, my breaking ball, was getting hit at like a .400 average against with a .900 slugging percentage. My whole game was flipped upside down. I think that that allows you to question really what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Because I wasn’t helping anybody, including my wife, who’s at home taking care of four kids by herself.”
Tigers Hitting Again
Morton is set to debut for the Tigers on Sunday night in Philadelphia as the team attempts to take the series from the Phillies. Detroit has now gone 5-1 since the historic swoon the team underwent in July, in which the Tigers lost 12 out of 13 games.
During that stretch, the Tigers offense looked lost, averaging just 2.5 runs per game over 13 games, batting just .200. In the last six games, though, things have turned around, with Detroit scoring 7.5 runs per game and batting .312 in that span.
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