The Atlanta Braves opted to part ways with Joey Bart after last week's trade deadline as Sean Murphy was finally ready to make his return to the active roster this past week. Murphy's struggles with Atlanta have been well-covered ground, with the veteran simply unable to produce at the expected level. Each of the past two seasons, Murphy has finished the year hitting below the Mendoza line and offered so little offensively it is hard to appreciate a strong defensive upside. Since returning to the lineup, this has continued to be on display with the catcher collecting a lone hit in his first eight at-bats.
In these eight plate appearances, half of them have resulted in strikeouts, and it looks very much to be the same version of the catcher Braves fans have endured watching the previous two seasons. With this in mind, there simply is no way around the fact that the contract has continued to be a major waste, with the veteran earning $15 million to miss most of the season and be a liability offensively.
Things aren't going to get any easier with two years of the deal remaining and it looking increasingly impossible that the Braves are going to get anything out of Murphy. Even batting at the bottom of the lineup with far less expectations, the results have been the same and left little reason to take Drake Baldwin off the field except when the young catcher needs a day off.
Braves Can't Ignore Growing Frustrations with Failing Catcher Sean Murphy
If the results don't change in the final two months of the season, there is every reason to explore an escape from the deal. A salary dump could remain a possibility if there is a franchise willing to bet on Murphy returning to his 2023 form. This version of the catcher was a consistent offensive force and source of power for one of the better offenses the league has seen in the last decade.
However, we are three years removed from seeing this version of Murphy and have little reason to believe he is going to make a return anytime soon. To put it simply, it makes far too much sense for the Braves to turn the page if they are given an opportunity and the performance remains the same.
The future is bright with Baldwin, who has proven to be an offensive force and surprisingly capable behind the plate. The only remaining question is whether or not the Braves are willing to pay $15 million for what is a backup catcher who cannot contribute offensively. The answer should be obvious if the results don't take a huge leap before the end of the season.
For Murphy, you can blame injuries or simply look at the career expectations taking such a leap as valid reasons for the collapse. Regardless of the answer, the Braves need to take these final two months understanding that patience is something they cannot continue to extend to a player taking up such a high level of salary space at a position already having a franchise answer.
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