The Atlanta Braves' 2026 offseason is a little over a month away as a frustrating roster continues to limp its way to the end of the 2025 MLB campaign.
A series loss to the New York Mets was a reality check that a magical turnaround still isn't possible. For the Braves to begin playing in and winning meaningful games again, the roster is going to have to undergo drastic changes this winter. Additions can't be made without subtractions, though, and one of Atlanta's potential trade pieces sticks out more than others.
Veteran Sean Murphy hasn't done himself any favors with an incredibly rough last two months offensively. While rookie Drake Baldwin continues to show his potential, fans are very quickly falling out of love with the veteran catcher. Trading Murphy and attempting to go ahead and extend the cheaper Baldwin makes far too much sense to ignore.
Braves Catcher Sean Murphy is Obvious Offseason Trade Candidate
While the Braves would ideally keep the duo together, they are going to need drastic changes to turn the corner. This means using both the trade and free agent markets to improve depth and put together a more consistent lineup and bullpen. Murphy is one of the few veteran pieces under contract and still carries any value.
The rest of Atlanta's remaining pieces are either building blocks that cannot be dealt or have lost all potential trade value. With this in mind, Murphy should be tasked to bring in a fix for another position. Baldwin can be the starting catcher, with a backup brought in to help ease the workload and put Baldwin in the designated hitter role sporadically.
This move is fueled not only by the emergence of Baldwin, but the need for the Braves to cut payroll while improving. Murphy is under contract with a $15 million price tag in each of the next three seasons, and has a 2029 club option for the same amount, per Spotrac.
It is clear that ownership isn't wanting to spend top dollar, and Murphy's deal is an easy way to move around current contracts while giving yourself a chance to improve. What spending ownership does allow must be focused on the bullpen and middle infield. These are the biggest issues facing the Braves that must be improved.
For Murphy, it has been another frustrating season offensively that has been highlighted by the surprise emergence of Baldwin. Atlanta is no longer stuck accepting the poor production but has a superior answer. It is a chance to find meaningful improvement and rebuild what was a consistent postseason contender prior to a nightmare 2025 season.