The Atlanta Braves are hoping to have a busy offseason. Earlier this week, they re-signed Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract. Atlanta also made a trade with the Houston Astros for Mauricio Dubón in return for Nick Allen. That move may signal that the Braves are not afraid to make trades, and begs the question if they will make any larger splashes in the trade market.
One name that floated around the July trade deadline was catcher Sean Murphy, who could be in jeopardy of losing meaningful time if National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin continues to evolve as a pure hitter.
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Braves’ Sean Murphy Could be on Trade Block; Why San Diego Padres Are a Good Fit
In a recent article by CBSSports’ Matt Snyder, which details the Braves’ offseason outlook, Sean Murphy’s name is floated as being a trade chip:
“Given the breakout of Rookie of the Year catcher Drake Baldwin, there might be a chance to trade catcher Sean Murphy, too. As things stand, the Braves have an open DH spot for one from the Baldwin/Murphy combo, but if they add a bat for DH, they might decide that Baldwin needs to play most days and Murphy is being wasted as a backup. As such, moving him in a package to help the pitching staff makes sense. ”
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves runs to first base after hitting a double in the fourth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on September 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres seem like a logical landing destination for Sean Murphy. At the earlier trade deadline this year, San Diego acquired Freddy Fermin, but he hit just five home runs in 109 games.
San Diego wouldn’t send Fermin over to Atlanta, but his lack of performance means the Padres need an upgrade at catcher. Sean Murphy signed a six-year, $73 million deal, which means he’s under team control through the 2028 season. Murphy was an All-Star in 2023 and hit 16 home runs this season in 94 games.
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The Braves Could Ask for Pitching in Return
The Atlanta Braves would be looking to add some pitching depth in return, or at least a pair of prospects, in return for Murphy.
Both teams are theoretically NL contenders headed into the 2026 season, so the idea that neither team will be thinking about meaningful trades isn’t right. Atlanta could ask for either Miguel Mendez or Bradgley Rodriguez from the Padres’ farm system. Both are right-handed arms. That haul might not be enough for the Braves, and they could resort to also asking for a piece already on the Padres roster.
It’s unclear at this moment if the Braves are thinking about offloading Sean Murphy, but it would be a good salary dump, and Atlanta’s future would become brighter. Murphy has hit below .200 in each of the past two seasons and hasn’t appeared in more than 95 games since 2023.
If Drake Baldwin is the future, then moving on from Murphy makes sense, and it will be interesting to see if he develops further into a trade piece as MLB’s hot stove season heats up.
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