The Rays roster has taken their first off-season hit as pitcher Charlie Morton has signed a one year 15 million dollar contract with the Atlanta Braves.
This was not unexpected, but the Rays were hopeful that Morton would take a home town discount and stay with the Rays at a one year 11-12 year million dollar deal.
Morton, who has a home in Bradenton, had expressed interest in staying close to home and even considered retirement.
But the lure of $15 million for one year was too good to pass up, and Morton will be returning to the National League.
The last three years. Morton will have made 45 million dollars. That is nice work for a guy that is on the backside of his career.
In some other off-season news, Rays rookie sensation Randy Arozarena was detained by Mexican authorities in connection with a domestic violence issue.
News is always slow to come out of Mexico. Reports are still being put together, and some of the facts may change.
If this turns out to be true, that is not good news for the Rays and Arozarena.
Major League Baseball does not take lightly domestic violence issues. If confirmed, Arozarena could be looking at a suspension and fine by MLB.
According to ESPN, the alleged incident involved the mother of his child and the women’s father.
Reports indicate that Arozarena showed up at the house with some gifts for his daughter. During the visit, Arozarena tried to take the child away from the mother without permission.
That is when the father of Arozarena’s child intervened, and Arozarena allegedly assaulted the father. Legal charges are considered being filed according to Mexican authorities.
MLB has now launched its investigation to gather detail of the alleged incident.
Arozarena was the star of the Rays in the post-season, hitting ten home runs, and was awarded the MVP of the ALCS after the Rays defeated the Astros in seven games.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, because the incident involves family, any potential discipline from MLB would fall under the league and the union’s joint domestic violence policy.
More info should be available in the next few days.
