This is such a tough questions.
I was firmly in the camp to send JJ a qualifying offer, thinking his arm troubles were over. Wow, glad we didn't. Food for thought.
So, if I'm correct it would cost $9M more to keep him, because the buyout is $1M? That's way less than the QO offer would have been to JJ, and at least Morrow has strong ties to the club.
Boy, there's like a 75% chance he'll get hurt again for an extended period next year. So, 75% chance that $9M is a throwaway.
But, like always, if he's healthy, he's worth ~ $18M AAV. And at the very least, assuming the MLB collective agreement doesn't change, even if next year's his last, assuming he does well, we could still QO him and maybe get a 1st rounder.
So, $9M more wasted or for a really solid pitcher who might net us a 1st round draft pick after the season.
I say pick him up for the extra $9M.