Catcher Sean Murphy has been traded to the Atlanta Braves as part of a three-team deal, per Jeff Passan.
BREAKING: Catcher Sean Murphy has been traded to the Atlanta Braves, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 12, 2022
Young catcher William Contreras is reportedly heading to the Milwaukee Brewers, along with prospects RHP Justin Yeager, and RHP Joel Payamps. Meanwhile, veteran backstop Manny Pina is set to join the Oakland Athletics, along with LHP Kyle Muller, utility man Esteury Ruiz, RHP Freddy Tarnok, and RHP Royber Salinas. Murphy, 28, is going into his first year of arbitration eligibility and is set to become a free agent in 2026. Murphy is coming off of a year in which he finished 22nd in AL MVP voting. He hit a career-best .250 with 18 homers, 134 hits, 66 RBI, and a 120 OPS+ in 148 games. He is also a former Gold Glove award winner.
The Career of Sean Murphy
The Oakland Athletics drafted Sean Murphy with the 83rd overall pick in the 2016 Draft. The pick was not without merit. Murphy had been a standout at Wright State University in the previous years. In 2015, he slashed .329/.423/.458 with an OPS of .880 as he helped the Raiders to a 43-17 record and an NCAA Regional appearance. Over the next few seasons, he made his way up the ladder. His best overall performance came in 2018 with the Double-A Midland Rockhounds. There, he hit .288 with 74 hits and an .856 OPS in 68 games. By the end of 2019, the A’s promoted him to the majors.
For the past few seasons, Sean Murphy has established himself as one of the game’s better backstops. He has also emerged as one of the more powerful hitters at his position. In 2022, Murphy tied MJ Melendez of the Kansas City Royals for the most home runs among AL catchers. They finished third to J.T. Realmuto and Will Smith in the entire Majors. His slugging average of .426 was the best among AL catchers. Plugging him into a lineup that already includes sluggers Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, and former A’s teammate Matt Olson might bode well for Murphy. Only time will tell.
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Players mentioned:
Sean Murphy, William Contreras, Justin Yeager, Joel Payamps, Manny Pina, Kyle Muller, Esteury Ruiz, Freddy Tarnok, Royber Salinas, MJ Melendez, J.T. Realmuto, Will Smith, Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Matt Olson
