The Tampa Bay Rays are always a sneaky team at MLB’s trade deadline, as they are once again in the thick of things in the American League playoff picture. As a small market team, they always make economical deals, and their player development team seems to turn players into budding stars. For this year’s deadline, the Rays are reportedly interested in a certain Atlanta Braves All-Star amid the Braves likely being sellers.
Tampa Bay is 50-44, slowly sneaking up on the New York Yankees and currently holds one of the AL Wild Card spots. The Rays have caught the league by surprise, as nobody truly anticipated they’d compete to the level they have in a tough American League East.
Tampa Bay Linked to Catcher Sean Murphy
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Tampa Bay Rays are one of the few teams that have real interest in trading for 2023 All-Star catcher Sean Murphy from the Atlanta Braves.
In a Fansided article explaining the pros and cons of trading for Murphy, this is what was said:
“While the Braves may not be able to get that big of a return for Murphy, theyâd likely be able to get their choice of top prospects and/or MLB-ready players. Murphyâs 116 wRC+ is sixth-best among catchers with at least 200 at-bats, and heâs in the 75th percentile in framing and the 85th percentile in blocks above average. Heâs still a solid catcher who can help a team win, but the Braves may have stumbled upon a better and cheaper player in Baldwin, which could make Murphy redundant on the roster,” Henry Palatella wrote.
Murphy is in the middle of a fairly cheap six-year deal and isn’t set to be a free agent until 2029, which would solve the Rays’ revolving catching issues. The former All-Star catcher is having a strong 2025 campaign. Despite hitting in the low .200’s, Murphy has 13 home runs, and an OPS of .787, which is way above average for the catcher position. The Braves’ season has been an absolute disaster, but they have a good opportunity to potentially get a strong prospect in return for Murphy.
What Would the Rays Have to Give Up?
Well, if the Atlanta Braves truly believe Drake Baldwin is the catcher of the future, which might be the case, that would make the Braves more likely to trade Murphy. The Tampa Bay Rays’ top prospect is middle infielder Carson Williams, who may end up being called up this season, but the Braves desperately need steady offensive production up the middle. If the Rays don’t want to deal their top prospect, they could opt to give up fifth-ranked prospect Tre Morgan. Either way, the Braves need somebody to help build up their depleted farm system if they hope to compete again in 2026.
As Bowden outlined, many contending teams will come calling for Murphy, who also plays Gold Glove-level defense behind the plate. Expect both the Rays and the Braves to be active at this deadline, and potentially pull off this blockbuster deal.
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