Braves Catcher ‘Unique Player’ Who Could be Available at Deadline

The Atlanta Braves are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline this year after a disappointing first half.

While management has discussed only trading those on expiring contracts, there is another possibility for the organization. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal wrote about how the Braves could look to take advantage of a weak catcher’s market and get a strong return for Murphy.

“Sean Murphy remains one of baseball’s best at his position,” wrote Rosenthal. “Well above-average at the plate with strong defensive metrics behind it, Murphy is a rarity in today’s game: an everyday, all-star-caliber catcher who’s under contract for the next three seasons. He might not be the best player available at the trade deadline, but he certainly could be a unique one.”

The Braves could take advantage of a seller’s market and cash in on Murphy to quickly retool the roster with high-level prospects or elite talent that is already in the majors. A young, talented player is also making Murphy expendable.

“Murphy has the seventh-highest fWAR among big league catchers — very close to being tied for fifth — and the catchers ahead of him aren’t going anywhere,” wrote Rosenthal. “But the Atlanta Braves’ disappointing season, along with the arrival of rookie Drake Baldwin, makes Murphy a reasonable trade candidate owed $15 million each of the next three seasons.”

It’s unlikely a team would be willing to pay a backup catcher $15 million per year for the next three seasons, so a contender would need to add Murphy with the intention of him starting. The San Diego Padres could be a possibility as Martin Maldonado and Elias Diaz are both free agents at the end of the year.

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