Atlanta Braves rookie catcher Drake Baldwin enjoyed a career night on Monday, driving in six runs and scoring two in what was a dominating performance. Fans have long been asking the Braves to have the catcher in the lineup every night, and this performance is exactly why. There is an argument to be made that Baldwin is currently Atlanta's second or third-best hitter on a nightly basis. While it could be viewed as a bit of a stretch, diving into the numbers creates a compelling case. One that is so exciting, trade speculation is continuing to mount around two Atlanta veterans.
Marcell Ozuna is the obvious option after being benched to make room for Baldwin.
Drake Baldwin Continues to Prove the Braves Right, Puts Marcell Ozuna on the Trade Block
Ozuna has had an impressive run with the Braves, but clearly no longer factors into the future. However, it could be far more lucrative to consider moving on from a piece with more team control. Sean Murphy remains an interesting trade option, with these rumors only being fueled by the departure of Stuart Fairchild to make room for third catcher Sandy Leon. Add in this epic performance along with Murphy's continual offensive struggles, and a trade continues to make a level of sense.
One could argue that the smartest way to get a deal done is to wait until the end of the season and go ahead with trades of Ozuna and closer Raisel Iglesias. Both pieces are expiring assets that aren't going to garner Atlanta anything of note. Going ahead and pulling the trigger on any potential deals to move on is the right decision for the front office.
With Murphy, the Braves could opt to take a more patient approach, listening to offers throughout the offseason. Regardless, Baldwin's incredible performance serves as a reminder that Murphy is not as important as he once was to this roster. Turning the page on the veteran could prove to be the right move if Atlanta can bring something back in return that will help the Braves in the 2026 season. With how up-and-down Murphy's offense has been, this idea looks especially enticing.
Regardless, Baldwin continues to impress in his rookie season, making a case that Atlanta has one of the best in the game at the position. In a season of misery, it has been a much-needed bright spot that provides a bit of hope for the future. Opening up Atlanta's trade possibilities and keeping a close eye as the trade deadline draws closer.