Atlanta Braves veteran catcher Sean Murphy is coming off a heroic bases-clearing double in Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh. It was a much-needed moment for Murphy, with rookie Drake Baldwin turning up the heat. Manager Brian Snitker set up the moment by pulling Baldwin and handing Murphy a questionable pinch-hitting opportunity. The fact that it worked keeps Snitker off the hot seat after last week's similar decision.
Still, there is reason to wonder what Murphy's future looks like in Atlanta. The veteran catcher is an undeniable asset who was a much-needed power boost for the Braves. However, it is growing increasingly impossible to hold Baldwin's bat out of the lineup. The idea of a Sean Murphy trade must at least be evaluated as a possibility.
Bases clearing pinch hit double for Sean Murphy ties the game!🔥#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/QNFoRprU6x
— Baseball’s Office (@baseballsoffice) May 11, 2025
The Braves' Grave Needs Force an Unexpected Sean Murphy Trade Debate
Trading Sean Murphy makes sense only because of the upside of Drake Baldwin and Atlanta's overwhelming number of roster concerns. Having the luxury of Baldwin or Murphy sitting on the bench when your lineup is struggling to generate runs could be viewed as a mistake.
Murphy's immense value could be exercised to get the Braves a piece that could join the everyday lineup. This would be two upgrades for the price of one franchise player. There is no denying the fact that Baldwin's bat appears to have far more upside. Aside from this, the catcher is a cheaper investment, allowing you to bring in a veteran catcher and send Murphy in exchange for an offensive upgrade.
Finding a team willing to build around Murphy shouldn't be difficult. The catcher is on a team-friendly contract that carries immense value at an increasingly scarce position. It is this fact that gives the Braves some pause in even considering the idea of trading Murphy. Drake Baldwin has looked amazing, but is far from a proven player.
Making a move would elevate the pressure on the rookie and lock Atlanta's 2025 fate at the position in his hands. With what the Braves have seen thus far, it is an enticing gamble, but could be viewed as a dangerous move nonetheless.
Sean Murphy's clutch hit on Sunday is all manager Brian Snitker needed to continue to put the veteran in the lineup. It served as a reminder of the value the veteran brings, and an obvious problem Atlanta must find an answer to.