The San Diego Padres are reportedly eyeing All-Star catcher Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves as a potential trade deadline acquisition.
Despite having Elias Díaz and Martin Maldonado on the roster, the Padres are looking to upgrade their catching corps with a more impactful offensive player. Murphy fits that profile, and his name has also surfaced as a target for the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB insider Jim Bowden.
Bowden mentioned that the Braves might consider parting ways with Murphy, especially with rookie Drake Baldwin—Atlanta’s No. 11 prospect in 2024—emerging as a potential long-term solution behind the plate. Murphy, who turns 31 in October, has been sharing time at catcher with Baldwin.
“There are a couple of teams—specifically San Diego and Tampa Bay—interested in acquiring Sean Murphy, knowing Atlanta may be willing to move him given Baldwin’s development,” Bowden said on Foul Territory. “If the Braves do make a move, it’s likely to involve Murphy, Marcell Ozuna, or smaller tweaks.”
However, Bowden downplayed speculation that Atlanta would trade any of their everyday stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, or even Chris Sale, noting that the Braves appear more focused on minor adjustments.
Murphy has posted a .225/.309/.478 slash line this season with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs over 56 games—clearly offering more offensive upside than Díaz and Maldonado, who have each tallied just four home runs.
A Gold Glove winner in 2021, Murphy has seven seasons of big-league experience with both Atlanta and Oakland, and he’s logged over 100 games in three different campaigns. Injuries have sidelined him at times recently, including a left oblique strain in 2024 and a rib fracture earlier this season after being hit by a pitch. He was placed on the injured list but returned to action on April 6.
With the Braves sitting 9.5 games out of an NL Wild Card spot, moving Murphy at the deadline could be a realistic option.
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