Talented catchers Sean Murphy and William Contreras changed teams Tuesday in a blockbuster three-team trade involving the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics.
News of the trade emerged in bits and pieces from several media outlets in mid-afternoon. When the fireworks had ceased, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the full trade this way:
• The Braves acquire Murphy from the Athletics.
• The Brewers get Contreras and right-hander Justin Yeager from Atlanta and right-hander Joel Payamps (from Oakland).
• The Athletics receive from the Braves left-hander Kyle Muller, the Braves’ No. 1 prospect in 2022 according to MLB Pipeline, and right-hander Freddy Tarnok (No. 6 prospect) along with right-handed minor league pitcher Royber Salinas and 35-year-old journeyman catcher Manny Piña. The Athletics also receive 23-year-old outfielder Estuery Ruiz — Milwaukee’s No. 8 prospect in 2022 according to MLB Pipeline,\ — from the Brewers
The centerpieces of the deal are Murphy and Contreras, two talented young catchers with good upsides and attractive salaries.
Contreras, 24, made the All-Star roster last season. He hit 20 home runs in only 334 at-bats, with a 138 OPS+. He is not eligible for free agency until 2028.
The 28-year-old Murphy brings outstanding defense — he won a Gold Glove in 2021 — and under-rated offensive pop. He hit 17 home runs in 2021 and 18 last season, despite playing home games in the Oakland Coliseum one of the worst stadiums for MLB home run hitters. He slashed .250/.332/.426 last season with a 120 OPS+.
Just as importantly, he comes with a reasonable price tag ($3.25 million for 2023) and is under team control through 2025.
Baseball fans and insiders debated who won and who lost the blockbuster.
“Contreras is regarded much more for his bat than his glove but the Brewers have history of helping catchers make strides behind the plate,” tweeted Adam McCalvy, the Brewers’ MLB.com beat writer.
“If the Braves can re-sign Dansby Swanson after this Sean Murphy trade, they’d literally have zero weaknesses,” tweeted Game Day MLB.
A Braves fan tweeted, “It does not make sense. We didn’t even need a catcher. I’m not mad about getting Sean Murphy, but no. Makes no sense.”
“Bruh we traded 4 prospects for an above-average catcher, especially when we already had an all-star caliber catcher prospect,” tweeted a Braves fan.
“This trade is worse than the Brittney Griner trade,” tweeted one baseball fan.
“A’s just traded for a 35-year-old catcher?” tweeted one fan.
