The Atlanta Braves just finished a very poor season.
They were expected to compete for the NL East championship. Rather, they never made it to the postseason.
Drake Baldwin was the primary factor that went well.
The gifted youngster was named NL Rookie of the Year.
Baldwin may now play a role in a potential offseason move for the Braves. Atlanta has the option to trade Sean Murphy if it so chooses.
Baldwin came through the organization as a catcher, and if Atlanta wants him to, he could definitely play that position full-time in Major League Baseball. That would mean eliminating Murphy.
Since J.T. Realmuto is essentially the only free agent catcher available, Murphy’s trade value may also be strong at this time.
Murphy is the guy the Braves are most likely to deal this winter, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
“Given the dearth of catching options on the free-agent market, the Braves – who also have reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin – could receive interest in Murphy, who is under club control for three more years at $45 million,” writes Feinsand. “Murphy has been dealing with a hip injury for the past two years that has impacted his performance at the plate, but he remains a top defender behind the plate.”
An acquiring team would be concerned about the injury.
On the other hand, Murphy can be worth $45 million over the next three years ($15 million per season) if he remains somewhat healthy.
Fans will have to wait and watch whether the Braves actually make a move, but his name will still be mentioned as a possibility this winter.
