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9 hours ago
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The Atlanta Braves need to have a good offseason if they want to contend in the National League East next season. After a disappointing 2025 MLB regular season, Atlanta is looking to turn the page, and it starts with hiring a new manager. They also could afford to spend some money in free agency when the 2026 period opens up.
However, the Braves do have the luxury of having some really solid players at important positions on the field. Matt Olson will still be at first, Ronald Acuña Jr. will patrol right field, and a healthy Austin Riley would sure up a solid core. But what about the catcher position? The Braves have a decision to make about who will get the primary at-bats.
Catchers Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin likely to battle for starting spot
Braves catchers Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin are likely to battle for the starting job.
Atlanta signed Sean Murphy before the 2023 season to a six-year, $73 million contract extension. In 2023, he was named an all-star and hit 21 home runs over 108 games.
However, his production has slowed since then. In 94 games this season, he hit .199 with 16 home runs. It was then revealed at the end of the season that he had been dealing with injuries for much of the season. On the other hand, Drake Baldwin may win the NL Rookie of the Year after the stellar season he had.
You could say Atlanta might want to DH Murphy or Baldwin, but after such a disastrous season, Alex Anthopoulos might want to eye some other bigger bats in free agency.
So that means Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin will likely be fighting for playing time, and that $73 million contract could start to hold the team back down the road.
There's also the option of trading Murphy. His value has diminished because of the injuries, but he's still a great defensive backstop with power upside in his bat.
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