The Atlanta Braves should make Sean Murphy a priority trade candidate this offseason. After another National League Division Series exit against the Los Angeles Dodgers, they need to reconsider how much money they commit to a catching tandem when other areas require help.

The Braves scored just eight runs across four games and used two bullpen games in the series. That combination leaves little margin for October success.

Trading Murphy would give Atlanta a chance to reshape its spending around Drake Baldwin, whose production supports a larger commitment behind the plate. The objective should be a more balanced roster, with dependable pitching and enough catching depth to protect Baldwin.

That requires a sensible deal. The Braves should accept a modest return if the financial relief meaningfully improves their options, but they cannot assume another club will absorb Murphy’s entire contract.

Drake Baldwin gives Braves a clear path behind the plate

Baldwin delivered the strongest reason to consider this move. He hit .284 with a .358 on-base percentage, 25 home runs, 79 RBIs and an .817 OPS across 138 games in 2026.

Those numbers give the Braves a productive offensive foundation at catcher. They can build around Baldwin without waiting for another player to establish himself in the majors.

Murphy, meanwhile, hit .182 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and a .556 OPS in 33 games. He struck out 37 times across 121 plate appearances.

His health provides necessary context. Recovery from hip surgery and a fractured left middle finger disrupted his season. Those setbacks make it unfair to treat his limited production as proof that he cannot rebound.

They also complicate the decision to keep paying for that possibility.

Atlanta must evaluate what Murphy can provide going forward and how his role fits alongside Baldwin. Keeping both offers insurance, but insurance has a price. The Braves should question whether that expense serves them better behind the plate than elsewhere.

Moving Murphy would also create opportunities to rotate other hitters through designated hitter while Baldwin catches. That flexibility matters when constructing lineups and managing workloads throughout a long season.

The Braves would still need an experienced backup. Giving Baldwin the primary job cannot mean asking him to handle every inning or overlooking the demands of the position.

Sean Murphy trade must create meaningful roster flexibility

Murphy will earn $15 million in both 2027 and 2028. His contract also includes a $15 million club option for 2029 without a buyout.

That leaves $30 million in scheduled salary over two seasons, a substantial commitment for a player whose recent availability and production raise questions.

The Braves should approach negotiations accordingly. A modest prospect return with useful salary relief could make more sense than demanding premium talent and finding no workable deal.

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For a potential buyer, the appeal would depend on believing Murphy can recover and contribute at an acceptable cost. Atlanta may need to retain salary to make that calculation attractive.

Any savings should support concrete upgrades, with dependable rotation depth a priority. The Braves must also subtract the cost of a replacement catcher before treating a trade as newfound spending power.

That approach would give the front office a clear offseason spending priority.

There is a limit. Attaching valuable prospects simply to unload money could weaken the organization without improving its immediate outlook. Keeping Murphy would remain preferable to accepting a deal that creates more problems than it solves.

Still, the Braves have a credible reason to pursue change. Baldwin gives them a foundation at catcher, and Murphy’s contract offers an avenue to redistribute resources.

Atlanta should turn that opportunity into a practical offseason move. A carefully structured Murphy trade can help the Braves build a roster with fewer costly compromises.