We are rapidly approaching trade season and the Atlanta Braves are in an awkward position at the moment. If they start winning basically right now, being firm buyers at the trade deadline could be defended. If they fall much further out of the playoff race, they could end up being moderate sellers and try to reset for 2026. If they do end up selling, one name that is starting get floated as a trade target is Sean Murphy.
Trading for Murphy has not aged overly well for the Braves. He was, without question, one of the best catchers in baseball at the time, but Murphy's bat has regressed significantly during his time in Atlanta as he has dealt with injuries. Complicating the picture is that Drake Baldwin looks like he could easily be the Braves' catcher of the future and he has outplayed Murphy by a significant margin.
Given all of that, moving Murphy and the $15 million a year he is owed through 2028 could be an interesting development. However, MLB insider (one with a questionable track record of correctness) Jim Bowden recently went through and analyzed some potential trade deadline partners and he has the Braves and Murphy as a match for the Rays. The problem? The Rays are just one of those teams that seem to win every trade they do.
Braves and Rays connected as possible trade partners with Sean Murphy as the centerpiece
Tampa could certainly use a catcher and Murphy is one that would come with a number of years of control. Despite his offensive shortcomings lately, he still hits the crap out of the ball and is a good defensive catcher and calls games well. The pairing does make at least some sense.
However, the issue for the Braves is that this is the Rays we are talking about. If they want one of your players, they see someone that isn't being valued highly enough and think they can get more out of them and they are usually right. If they are willing to part with a prospect or prospects, it is usually only because they are lower on them than the industry may be. Combine that with the Rays' farm system that isn't anywhere near as exciting as it once was and the fit isn't as simple as you may think.
Unfortunately, these sorts of conversations aren't going to end anytime soon unless Atlanta starts winning more games. This Braves team certainly seems like one that should start entertaining selling off pieces they don't need long term. If that comes to pass, don't be surprised if Murphy's name comes up even more.