Former All-Star Catcher Linked to Tampa Bay Rays in Potential Trade

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Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves

As MLB’s season is over one-third of the way through, it has been well highlighted how much of a disaster the Atlanta Braves‘ season has been. After starting 0-7, they certainly put themselves behind the eight ball, but things have only gotten worse as the season has progressed. The Braves are 30-3 and are eight games out of a wild-card spot.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Braves are a team to keep an eye on to see what decisions they will make on some of their trade chips.

Sean Murphy Linked as Potential Trade Candidate

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently did a piece highlighting which trade targets could address specific teams’ biggest needs, and he noted that the Tampa Bay Rays’ biggest need is a catcher and named Sean Murphy as an ideal target. Murphy is having a solid 2025 season in the time he’s been on the field, but the rise of rookie catcher Drake Baldwin may see Murphy on his way out of the Atlanta Braves.

Here is what Bowden had to say about the trade chip Murphy:

“It seems like the Rays are always searching for their long-term solution at catcher but never seem to be able to acquire an impact player for the position, which could happen again this trade deadline. Their best target could be Braves veteran Sean Murphy, who is under team control through 2029. He makes $15 million per year, which should be affordable even for Tampa Bay. The Braves have 24-year-old Drake Baldwin, who should be their everyday catcher, and Atlanta could put the financial savings from dealing Murphy toward acquiring more starting pitching at the deadline. Perhaps the Rays could trade one of their starters for Murphy. He is above average in game-calling, framing, blocking, pop time and throwing, and he also ranks in the 79th percentile in barrel rate.”

Murphy is a great defensive catcher and has nine home runs in 42 games to go along with a .464 slugging percentage. Like Bowden said, Baldwin may be the everyday catcher in the future, and Murphy is under team control until 2029, but has a semi-favorable contract if he can play every day and be productive.

Who Could the Braves Get in Return?

The Atlanta Braves’ biggest issue this season has been the back end of their bullpen. A return package they could receive from the Rays is relief pitcher Edwin Uceta and right-handed pitching prospect Santiago Suarez.

Atlanta is in a tricky spot as the trade deadline inches closer, because their roster is certainly built to win now, and they have a winning culture, so they have to think they believe they can get right back in the thick of the wild card race if they start to play better in July.

However, the flip side to that is that if they don’t start playing better and get themselves back into contention, many teams may come calling for some of their tradeable pieces, such as Murphy, potentially Marcell Ozuna, and second baseman Ozzie Albies.