The Atlanta Braves have been exceptionally good at forming catching batteries over the last several years and making them among the most productive at the position in the league. Last year was no different as Travis d’Arnaud and William Contreras combined to be the third ranked catching group by fWAR in baseball last year at 6.4.
That is one reason why last night’s report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that the Braves have checked in on Sean Murphy is puzzling in some ways although there is a logic behind it.
What I’m hearing: https://t.co/NiGemJvcUy
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 2, 2022
According to Rosenthal, the Braves have been among the many teams that have looked at making a trade for Sean Murphy, a catcher, despite the fact that they have two very good catchers plus a very capable third option, when healthy, in Manny Pina under contract from 2023. So what gives?
Why the Braves may trade one or more of their catchers
The idea here is actually fairly straightforward. One, Sean Murphy is very good at his job and checking to see how much Oakland (a team that the Braves have made at least one high profile move with recently) is asking for him is just generally a good idea.
Second, if the market is catching hungry, again according to Rosenthal, the Braves could be entertaining the idea of trading one of William Contreras or Travis d’Arnaud to fill one of the other holes on their roster including shortstop or left field. While the report didn’t seem to think that the Braves moving on Murphy (to fill a potential vacancy if they trade Wild Bill or TdA) or even trading one of their top two catchers was likely, it seems like it is at least getting discussed.
However, Manny Pina, who many have considered a potential trade piece for Atlanta, seems like he is drawing interest on the trade market, so right now all three of the Braves’ catchers seem like they are at least somewhat in play for trades this offseason.