Opening Day 2026 is here, and the Atlanta Braves have their first official roster of the season locked in as an injury-marred spring comes to an end.
Atlanta is continuing last season's theme of losing key pieces with three starting pitchers missing from the rotation, as well as shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and catcher Sean Murphy, whose respective return timelines remain in question.
With that in mind, it's hard not to be frustrated by the fact that the Braves didn't try hard enough to turn the page on Murphy during the offseason.
Braves Might Already Regret Keeping Sean Murphy
Murphy's continued stay is made worse by his financial situation.
2025 National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin remains rostered on an incredibly affordable contract, while Murphy is scheduled to make $15 million in the 2026 season. This is a hefty number for a player who hasn't hit above the Mendoza line since the 2023 season.
Murphy has spent three years with the Braves and has been a clear offensive liability for two of these seasons. Still, a trade was possible based on Murphy's defensive value and past offensive production, giving desperate teams a reason to buy in.
Atlanta should've cleared salary that could've been used to reinforce the rotation or bring in bench depth that is now being tested. Regardless of where the money was spent, the writing was on the wall that Murphy needed a fresh start, and the Braves had their catcher of the future in Baldwin.
Now, the Braves are stuck paying top dollar for Murphy, who cannot stay on the field, averaging just 91.3 games played in the last three seasons. Even when he is healthy, the offensive production hasn't been there. There was no reason to continue with this sunk cost fallacy.
On top of the injury frustrations is the suspension of Jurickson Profar, further weakening an Atlanta lineup that is now without three expected starters. With that said, there is an argument to be made that whoever steps into the lineup in place of Murphy will likely have more offensive upside. This isn't a leap when you consider the fact that the backstop offered a .199 average in 291 at-bats last season.
There is no getting around the fact that the Braves' 2026 offseason is proving to be a bust with Murphy as a prime example. Instead of moving on from a clear headache, Atlanta is stuck with the underperforming catcher for another year, leaving time to tell if he can turn things around when he's finally healthy.
Whenever that will be.