Rays' Morton could earn $45M over 3 years

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

All-Star right-hander Charlie Morton could earn $45 million over three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays if he doesn’t have lengthy injury problems the next two years and the team exercises a $15 million option for 2021.

Morton is guaranteed $15 million in each of the next two seasons as part of the deal announced Dec. 21.

Tampa Bay has a $1 million option for 2021, but the price increases depending on disabled list time during the next two seasons: $3 million for 151-200 DL days, $5 million for 91-150, $10 million for 31-90 and $5 million for 15 or fewer.

He would get a $1 million assignment bonus if traded before the end of this season, $500,000 if traded after.

Morton was 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA last year for Houston, making a career-high 30 starts.