The Atlanta Braves 2025 season is yet to officially begin and has already taken a blow with the loss of catcher Sean Murphy. Murphy's injury is expected to keep the catcher out for the first two weeks of the regular season. However, missing the rest of spring training could mean the catcher needs a bit longer to get his bat back up to speed once fully healthy.
With this in mind, the Braves would be wise to improve their depth at the position. Chadwick Tromp was the primary backup and has never appeared in more than twenty-four games in a single season in his career. Top prospect Drake Baldwin has been handed an opportunity to make his debut far sooner than expected. However, this does leave the Braves without one proven catcher for at least two weeks to start the season, leaving an obvious concern.
Braves Should Sign Veteran Catcher and Former All-Star James McCann
Letting Travis d'Arnaud walk away in free agency was always a questionable decision. It has aged very poorly, based on the injury to Murphy and Atlanta's lack of offseason moves. Both Tromp and Baldwin are exciting pieces but neither were expected to be handed this big of a role to start the 2025 season.
Tromp was a question mark as the team's backup option and Baldwin was expected to need more time at the lower levels. These expectations could prove false with Baldwin seizing the chance to cement himself into Atlanta's 2025 plans far earlier than expected. However, it is just as, if not more likely, that the catcher struggles to make the adjustment.
Atlanta needs to put themselves in a position where they won't damage Baldwin's confidence if the young catcher isn't quite ready for the spotlight. No move better suits this purpose than signing free agent catcher James McCann to a non-guaranteed deal.
McCann is easily the best catcher left in free agency and offers your pitching staff much-needed experience. McCann is a career .241 hitter with limited power and a high strikeout rate. The veteran isn't going to be an offensive force but will bring a consistent level of production and calls a solid game behind the plate.
McCann offers the Braves the perfect fit in a veteran who can offer stability if it is needed while not tying Atlanta to a player they must put on the roster. It is the type of savvy move we've come to expect from Atlanta's front office and the perfect counter to Murphy's injury.