Braves Trading Star Catcher is Back on the Table After All-Star Break

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) arrives at second base in front of Baltimore Orioles first baseman Coby Mayo (16) after hitting a double during the seventh inning at Truist Park.
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) arrives at second base in front of Baltimore Orioles first baseman Coby Mayo (16) after hitting a double during the seventh inning at Truist Park. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Watching the league around the MLB All-Star break serves as a reminder of just how far the Atlanta Braves have fallen.

A franchise expected to be a World Series contender has become one of the league's biggest frustrations. Endless injuries and underachieving pieces have set up little reason to believe things have any chance of turning after the break. It is time for the Braves to admit defeat on the 2025 season and begin to sell off a few pieces, especially with the trade deadline approaching on July 31.

Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias are the names fans and pundits keep pointing to when discussing potential pieces the franchise will sell. However, a better decision might be attempting to move on from catcher Sean Murphy. It is clear the franchise needs a bit of a reset, and shedding his salary clears the way for Drake Baldwin to take over.

Trading Murphy leaves you with far more options than if you simply are content sitting with both catchers and continuing to platoon the duo.

Braves Must Consider Trading Sean Murphy Before July 31 Deadline

A trade centered around Murphy would not only give the Braves a chance to add a player capable of contributing next season, but also open up so many potential avenues.

With Baldwin locked in as the starting catcher and Murphy gone, Atlanta can trade Ozuna or opt to let the veteran play his contract out. The Braves are going into the 2026 offseason with an open mind, able to go in any direction with the designated hitter spot open. Whether this means a splashy addition or even putting one of the team's best returning hitters in the slot and adding to the outfield.

No matter which direction the team chooses, there is so much more they can do if Murphy is traded. This move cannot be taken lightly when considering what the former All-Star catcher has meant to the franchise and the myriad of clutch moments he has provided. All this adds up to a difficult decision that comes down to how much trust the Braves have in Baldwin.

If the catcher can maintain his current level of production, there is every reason to pull the trigger on a potential trade. The counter to this is the lack of sample size and Murphy's defensive excellence. Regardless, it is a move the team must consider as they work towards the end of what has been a dumpster fire of the 2025 season.

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