The Atlanta Braves enter this offseason facing several important roster decisions as the organization maps out its approach for the 2026 campaign. With the MLB hot stove in full swing, speculation is intensifying from every direction, and trade chatter is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling avenues for the Braves to acquire meaningful upgrades without significantly expanding their payroll commitments.
As other contenders look to reshape their rosters, Atlanta must determine how aggressive it wants to be on the trade market and which players it might be willing to part with in order to keep pace in a competitive National League landscape.
One name at the center of these discussions is catcher Sean Murphy. Since the July trade deadline, his status has been the subject of recurring rumors. Although Atlanta ultimately held onto him during the regular season, questions about his long-term role have only grown louder as the team evaluates its depth and future trajectory behind the plate.
Murphy is undoubtedly a valuable defensive presence and an experienced game-caller, but the Braves now find themselves in a situation where moving him could free up resources—both financially and on the roster—to address more pressing needs elsewhere.
The emergence of rookie catcher Drake Baldwin has further complicated the equation. Baldwin delivered an impressive debut season, ultimately earning Rookie of the Year honors and showcasing the maturity, offensive consistency, and defensive development that teams covet in a franchise backstop. His rapid ascent has given the Braves a level of confidence in their catching depth that they did not fully possess a year ago, and it has sparked legitimate debate over whether the team still needs two starting-caliber catchers on the roster heading into 2026.
Given Baldwin’s rise and the desire to maximize roster flexibility, this offseason may represent the most practical window for Atlanta to explore dealing Murphy.
His contract, track record, and reputation still make him an appealing target for teams seeking an established catcher, and the Braves could capitalize on that value while simultaneously redirecting their resources toward areas such as pitching depth or adding another impact bat. While no decision has been made yet, the combination of Baldwin’s breakout campaign and the strategic opportunities available on the trade market have positioned Sean Murphy as one of the more intriguing players to monitor as Atlanta shapes the next phase of its roster construction.
Braves Trade Idea with Rays Offloads Sean Murphy
The Atlanta Braves may have reached the point where trading Sean Murphy is the most logical move. Murphy, a 2023 All-Star, is heading into his age-31 season and remains under contract on a six-year, $73 million deal. With the Braves needing to make strategic adjustments to their roster, moving Murphy now—while he still carries value—could help address other areas of need.
One hypothetical trade proposal sends Murphy to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for young right-hander Shane Baz and prospect Tre’ Morgan. This scenario would allow the Braves to add a controllable, high-upside arm to their rotation while also acquiring a developing player who could strengthen their farm system.
MLB.com recently highlighted the most pressing offseason needs for all 30 clubs, and for Tampa Bay, the catcher position stands out. The Rays do appreciate the defensive abilities of Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes, both acquired at the Trade Deadline, and the organization believes they will be more settled heading into next season. Additionally, offensive-minded prospect Dominic Keegan is nearing readiness at Triple-A. Even so, Tampa Bay cannot overlook the fact that their catchers collectively hit just .185 last season and posted a league-worst .592 OPS. That level of offensive production severely limits their lineup.
Meanwhile, the Braves’ primary roster deficiency is a reliable, long-term starting pitcher—exactly the type of player they would acquire in Baz. Though Baz is recovering from injury issues, he remains one of the most talented young arms in baseball and fits Atlanta’s desire for a cost-controlled starter who can grow with the rotation.
As for Murphy, the concerns surrounding his recent performance are difficult to ignore. Despite possessing legitimate power potential, he has hit under .200 in two consecutive seasons and has not played more than 100 games in either year. For a team like Atlanta that relies heavily on durability and consistent production, those trends diminish his role moving forward. Tampa Bay, however, could justify taking a chance on him because their depth chart at catcher is thin and lacks offensive punch.
With the Braves preparing to transition to Drake Baldwin as their primary catcher in 2026, moving Murphy now could maximize his remaining trade value while addressing organizational needs. Such a deal would reflect a practical step toward reshaping the roster for long-term success.
What Would Shane Baz Bring to Atlanta?
Acquiring Shane Baz wouldn’t qualify as a headline-grabbing offseason splash, but it aligns with what the Braves are realistically positioned to do. With Atlanta already investing heavily in its top-tier rotation arms, the organization is unlikely to pursue the most expensive starting pitchers on the free-agent market. Instead, adding a controllable and developmental piece like Baz fits their strategy of strengthening the back end of the rotation without straining payroll resources.
Baz would project as a No. 4 or No. 5 starter, providing much-needed depth and stability. In 2025, he logged 31 starts and worked 166.1 innings, finishing the season with a 4.87 ERA. While his injury history is notable — particularly his missed 2023 season — he appears to be regaining traction at the major-league level. At a minimum, Baz has shown he can consistently take the mound every fifth day, which alone carries significant value for a team that battled durability issues.
The Braves’ rotation was hit hard in 2025, with six different starters spending at least six weeks on the injured list. That level of attrition severely strained the pitching staff and forced Atlanta to cycle through underperforming stopgap arms throughout the year. Bringing in someone like Baz could help prevent a repeat of those struggles by giving the team another reliable option capable of covering meaningful innings.
From a financial perspective, such a trade could also benefit the Braves. Moving Sean Murphy would shed part of his remaining contract while returning a young, moldable pitcher the coaching staff could further refine. As the MLB Winter Meetings unfold, it will be worth monitoring whether Murphy’s name continues to surface in trade speculation and whether Atlanta ultimately decides to leverage him to bolster its pitching depth.
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