Update – Mark Feinsand updated his previous report and now says that the Braves won’t be the team acquiring Murphy.
Update on Sean Murphy: it still appears Oakland is close to a trade, but the Braves are NOT going to be the acquiring team, per source. The Cardinals, Rays, Guardians and Red Sox are among the teams that have been connected to Murphy in recent weeks.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 4, 2022
The Winter Meetings are underway in San Diego and the Atlanta Braves may be close to making a splash. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that the Oakland Athletics appear to be getting close to a trade of catcher Sean Murphy and the Atlanta Braves are considered to be the frontrunners although other teams are also involved.
The Athletics appear to be getting close to a trade of C Sean Murphy, per source. The Braves are considered the frontrunners to acquire the former Gold Glove winner, though other teams remain in the mix.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 4, 2022
There was rumored interest in Murphy by the Braves earlier this offseason. On the surface, it doesn’t make a lot of sense given that the team already has Travis d’Arnaud, William Contreras and Manny Pina on the 40-man roster. However, acquiring Murphy would allow them to potentially shop Contreras or d’Arnaud for other needs. The team is also likely to move Pina and his $4.5 million salary this offseason so the situation remains in flux.
Murphy is 28 years old and is regarded as one of the best catchers in the league. He hit .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and a 122 wRC+ in over 600 plate appearances in 2022 and was worth 5.1 fWAR.
