
MLB Rumors: Atlanta Braves clear winners of Sean Murphy trade
Itās unclear exactly how Alex Anthopoulos continues to pull off some of the best trades in franchise history, but he did so again this offseason when acquiring catcher Sean Murphy and then signing him to a long-term extension. Murphy received a six-year, $73 million contract extension upon arrival in Atlanta, which addressed the Braves need at catcher despite already having Travis dāArnaud on the roster.
Itās an embarrassment of riches in the ATL, but they werenāt the only winners of this deal. The Milwaukee Brewers, who were the third team in the trade, acquired Williams Contreras ā the younger brother of Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras. One look at the advanced stats shows Contreras is off to a solid start in Milwaukee, despite some mixed emotions when he left the Braves organization.
Every Catcher in the National League worth 1.0 fWAR or higher pic.twitter.com/JBkyFyQGHP
ā Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) April 25, 2023
Contreras was an All-Star last season in Atlanta, but was viewed less as an option at backstop, and more of a designated hitter. Ironically, the Braves are struggling in that department so far this season, with Marcell Ozuna stinking up the joint ā but thatās a story for another day.
The Oakland Athletics havenāt been so lucky, but the true payout wonāt be seen until a few years down the road. The Aās received a prospect-laden package of Esteury Ruiz, Kyle Muller, Freddy Tarnok and Royber Salinas to buoy their farm system, as well as Manny PiƱa to play catcher in the meantime.