This season has been a complete disaster for the Atlanta Braves—far worse than even their harshest critics could have predicted. Plagued by injuries and underwhelming performances, they find themselves in fourth place in the NL East at the All-Star break, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by 12.5 games with a 42–53 record. They’re also nowhere near contention for a Wild Card spot.
Still, history suggests the Braves might not fully embrace a sell-off. Back in 2021, they were in a similar spot at the break—struggling in the division and reeling from the loss of Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season. Rather than selling, they made a handful of low-key acquisitions—Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, and Adam Duvall—all of whom were struggling or stuck in platoon roles. That group went on to play pivotal roles in the Braves’ stunning World Series win. Soler won World Series MVP, Rosario was the NLCS MVP, and both Pederson and Duvall were crucial in the team’s playoff push.
Because of that experience, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Atlanta hold off on selling and make some bargain additions in hopes of another improbable run. But unless they come out of the break winning consistently, selling becomes the logical move. One unexpected trade chip could be catcher Sean Murphy.
Murphy has plenty of appeal. He’s an All-Star backstop, signed through 2030 at just $15 million a year, and boasts elite defense with a Gold Glove to his name. Despite missing time early in the season, he’s hit 16 home runs and driven in 38 runs over 60 games and 199 at-bats.
One team that might come calling is the San Diego Padres. They’re in desperate need of a quality catcher who can contribute on both sides of the ball and have shown a tendency to pursue All-Star players under long-term contracts.
Proposed Trade: Atlanta Braves – San Diego Padres
Padres Receive:
- C Sean Murphy
Braves Receive:
- INF prospect Cobb Hightower
- LHP prospect Omar Cruz
Why This Trade Works for Atlanta:
The Braves have a luxury at catcher, thanks to breakout rookie Drake Baldwin, who’s making a serious case for NL Rookie of the Year. While Murphy is a high-level player, his value to the team is now greater as a trade asset, making him expendable. In return, the Braves would land a high-upside middle infielder—key, given their ongoing struggles at shortstop and Ozzie Albies’ injury concerns at second base. Adding a left-handed pitching prospect also supports their long-term development goals.
Why This Trade Works for San Diego:
The Padres’ current catchers are underperforming at the plate, with none hitting above .200 or reaching five home runs. Murphy, on the other hand, has already slugged five homers in July alone—four of them last week. He’s a major upgrade over Elias Díaz and Martín Maldonado both offensively and defensively and is also significantly younger. At 30, Murphy would provide a long-term solution behind the plate and a significant boost for a playoff push.
Fantasy Baseball Impact:
This trade benefits both Baldwin and Murphy from a fantasy standpoint. With them no longer sharing playing time, both would see an uptick in opportunities. Baldwin would continue his breakout in the hitter-friendly Truist Park as the clear starter, while Murphy would join a stronger Padres lineup and get more at-bats, boosting his fantasy value.
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