Phillies acquire Charlie Morton from Pirates

The Phillies have acquired right-hander Charlie Morton from the Pirates in exchange for right-hander David Whitehead, according to a team announcement. No cash changed hands in the deal.

Morton, 32, is the latest rotation addition for a Phillies team that has already added Jeremy Hellickson, Brett Oberholtzer and Vincent Velasquez this winter to a group that is slated to include Jared Eickhoff and Aaron Nola. Morton became expendable once the Pirates acquired Jon Niese from the Pirates during the Winter Meetings, and will join the Phillies with one year left on his contract.

Morton struggled to a 4.81 ERA in 23 starts last season, and is the owner of a lifetime 4.54 ERA in eight major-league seasons despite solid years in 2013 and 2014 for Pittsburgh.

Whitehead, 23, was the Philllies' 23rd-round pick in the 2013 draft and posted a 9-11 record and 4.44 ERA with High-A Clearwater last season. He is not considered a prospect, as the main point of the deal on Pittsburgh's end was to create financial flexibility by dumping the $9 million salary that was owed to Morton in 2016.