The Atlanta Braves' backstop situation has been turned upside down during Spring Training. Sean Murphy was coming off a rough season in 2024 but suffered a rib injury that will keep him out for the next 4-6 weeks. Chadwick Tromp is behind him but the 30-year-old projects as a replacement-level player who played just 19 games one year ago.
FanGraphs’ depth chart currently has top prospect Drake Baldwin penciled in as the starting catcher for Opening Day and Atlanta doesn’t have much depth behind him in case of an injury.
With all of these developments, it’s understandable that the Braves were looking for a catcher before Murphy got hurt. It turns out, they reached out to a former All-Star to solve their backstop problems who may be choosing retirement over joining Atlanta in the coming weeks.
Yasmani Grandal Turned Down Braves Offer Before Sean Murphy Injury
According to CiberCuba’s Francys Romero, the Braves reached out to Yasmani Grandal to add depth to the organization last month. While Atlanta seemed to be a great opportunity before Murphy’s injury, Grandal didn’t agree and is still looking for a different situation. Romero also adds that if those don’t materialize, the 36-year-old will contemplate retirement.
Grandal is a two-time All-Star who has spent time with the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit .236/.345/.424 with 194 home runs and 592 RBI during his 13-year career and most recently hit .228/304/.400 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in 72 games for the Pirates last season.
While Grandal is an average defender, he’s the type of depth the Braves may have been seeking. Murphy was a disappointment coming off an All-Star campaign in his first year in Atlanta, hitting .193/.284/.352 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI in 72 games last season. Tromp has spent more time in the minor leagues than the majors, hitting .232/.237/.397 with five homers and 22 RBI in 59 games and the Braves may have wanted to buy more time for Baldwin, who hit .276/.370/.423 with 16 homers and 88 RBI between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett last season.
Murphy’s latest injury may have opened the door to the “better opportunity” that Grandal is seeking to play in 2025. But at age 36, he may also decide to call it a career. It’s a development that shows the Braves have been scrambling to fix their catching situation before Opening Day and could have them on the phone for another move before they open the season at the San Diego Padres on March 27.