As the Atlanta Braves' 2025 season continues to reach new lows, the focus of the fan base shifts to the trade deadline and the 2026 offseason. It isn't as simple as pointing to one factor as to why the season has gone so wrong. Injuries, front office failures, Profar's suspension, and underachieving veterans can all be pointed to. Understanding the problem doesn't ease the frustration, but it does show the Braves a clear path forward. This starts with dealing away expiring deals and understanding that this offseason must start meaningful change. Atlanta can no longer afford to count on bargain deals to support its core.
All of this adds up to the Braves needing to consider turning the page away from Sean Murphy. All the reasons you keep the veteran catcher are exactly what make him an incredibly valuable trade asset. Murphy doesn't provide the offensive ceiling of rookie catcher Drake Baldwin, who has shown promising defensive results as well. Atlanta's problems aren't fixing themselves, and the farm system doesn't offer a wealth of trade options. Dealing Murphy presents a path to solving another roster issue and opens up plenty of avenues to fix the DH role.
The Braves Must Consider Trading Sean Murphy
Opening up the designated hitter role and putting Baldwin at catcher full-time gives you another source of potentially elite offense. Murphy's contract will garner at least one player who will solve another hole on the roster. While the elite defense is a loss, a big part of Atlanta's current issue is a level of offensive volatility. The veteran catcher contributes to this issue with up-and-down offensive production that simply cannot be relied on.
Add in Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris, and Nick Allen there isn't much reliability in the current lineup. Changing this isn't going to be as simple as trading expiring contracts and hoping for better luck next season. Atlanta needs to make meaningful changes, starting with signing depth and regaining a healthy rotation. Deciding to trade Murphy would help complete this and give the team far more options in fixing the lineup. Baldwin is already a better offensive option, and the defense is adequate enough to replace Murphy.
With this in mind, if the Braves aren't willing to follow the path of the Phillies or Dodgers and buy a roster, the next best option is trading Murphy. Something the organization must take into consideration both during the trade deadline and into the offseason if Murphy isn't dealt.