MLB Network analyst has this one big thing right about the Charlie Morton signing

At 41 years of age, RHP Charlie Morton isn't going to replace the production the Baltimore Orioles lost by Corbin Burnes heading to Arizona in free agency. However, Morton's signing does bring one much-needed trait to the organization - reliability.

MLB Network Analyst Chris Young's response to the Orioles signing of Morton was a rare, clear-minded take immediately after the news was announced. Young praised the Morton signing, citing Morton's reliability and proven track record of innings as possible valuable assets to the Orioles pitching staff heading into 2025.

Looking at the pitching staff as it stands now, the Orioles face a number of questions involving health and experience. While Grayson Rodriguez has shown flashes of being an impact arm in the majors, his first two seasons in the big leagues have been hampered by injury. Dean Kremer has cracked 130 innings just once in the last three seasons.

Albert Suarez was a critical piece for the Orioles in 2024, but showed signs of wearing down in the second-half of the season. With very little track record behind him in the majors, it's fair to question whether or not the 35-year-old can be as effective in 2025.

To question a 35-year-old but remain optimistic about a 41-year-old may not make sense, but Charlie Morton has made 30+ starts in each of the last four seasons and in six of the last seven seasons. The only season in that span in which Morton didn't make 30 starts was the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In fact, as pointed out by Matt Weyrich over at the Baltimore Sun, Morton's 221 starts since 2017 rank 6th among all major league starters.

Charlie Morton will provide valuable stability to the Orioles' 2025 rotation

The Orioles also don't know what Tomoyuki Sugano is going to provide in 2025. Will he be able to hold up in his first full-season in Major League Baseball while pitching in a five-man rotation versus a six-man rotation? Are the Orioles planning to move to a six man rotation with their current crop of arms? It's a possibility.

There's a solid group of young arms and prospects ready to contribute in 2025, but there are, of course, questions about how these unproven arms will transition to the big leagues. Cade Povich showed real promise in 2024, but can he take the next step forward in 2025? Chayce McDermott has battled injuries and control issues throughout his career and while the Orioles will continue to work him as a starter, his eventual home could end up being in the bullpen.

Brandon Young was added to the 40-man roster this winter ahead of the Rule 5 draft and while he returned from his second Tommy John surgery last season showing improved velocity, solid command of the strike zone despite missing so much time, and real potential to make an impact at the next level, he's yet to throw a single inning in the major leagues.

There's optimism that Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells can return in the second half of the season and optimism surrounding Trevor Rogers as he looks to build on his Triple-A success at the end of 2024, but just like every other pitcher mentioned thus far, there are reliability concerns about these three arms as well.

Perhaps, the signing of Charlie Morton is the precursor move to Dean Kremer or some of the prospect depth being moved in a deal for a top of the rotation arm. Even if a trade isn't imminent, adding Morton to the mix on a one-year deal can bring much-needed stability and a strong veteran presence to a rocky, young rotation with a lot of upside.

Injuries will pile up. Just look at what happened to the Orioles rotation in 2024. Rotation depth is a must if an organization wants to remain standing at the end of the season, and not just unproven, prospect depth, but quality, veteran depth like Charlie Morton. This also isn't a signal that the Orioles are done adding to the rotation. A trade is still a very real possibility.

Maybe tweak the four-seamer/sinker usage a bit, let the curveball eat, and be a reliable arm every five days. If Charlie Morton can do that, this signing will prove to a beneficial move for the Baltimore Orioles.