5:47PM: The Braves aren’t going to be the team that lands Murphy, Feinsand tweets in a new update, though the A’s do still look like they’re nearing a deal. Anthopoulos told Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter links) and other reporters that the Braves are planning to go into the spring with Contreras, d’Arnaud and Pina behind the plate. Offers could be considered out of due diligence, but Anthopoulos said “I do not anticipate a trade, so just to shut that down.”
5:03PM: After months of trade speculation, Sean Murphy may on the verge leaving Oakland, as MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link) reports that “the Athletics appear to be getting close to” moving the catcher. While multiple teams are in the running, the Braves are somewhat surprisingly “considered the frontrunners” to pry Murphy away from the A’s.
This isn’t the first time Atlanta has been linked to Murphy, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported about the Braves’ interest just two days ago. However, that interest was characterized mostly as a case of due diligence, and how Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is open to exploring all trade possibilities, even if his team is seemingly set at a position.
Even with William Contreras, Travis d’Arnaud, and Manny Pina all on the catching depth chart, it makes sense why Atlanta could view Murphy as a preferable option to its in-house choices. Murphy is both a quality hitter (.236/.326/.429 slash line over his career, 116 wRC+) and a quality defender (excellent framing numbers and a Gold Glove in 2021), plus he is still arbitration-controlled through the 2025 season. Projected for a modest $3.5MM salary in 2023, Murphy’s team control is naturally attractive to any club, and perhaps particularly so for a Braves team that has started to approach the luxury tax threshold for the first time since 1998.
Due mostly to several contract extensions for incumbent players, Atlanta is projected for a luxury tax number just shy of $228MM in 2023, and thus not far below the $233MM tax threshold. To be clear, the threshold isn’t a barrier, as the team is already considering exceeding the tax line to help further reinforce a contending roster. With new ballpark revenue streaming in and one World Series title in 2021 already claimed, it makes sense that the Braves would be willing to keep spending at franchise-record amounts to keep the good times rolling. That means Atlanta could consider moves like acquiring Murphy and also possibly re-signing free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Adding Murphy would also naturally create a surplus behind the plate, even with Contreras perhaps getting the bulk of his time at the DH spot. d’Arnaud is owed $8MM in 2023 with an $8MM club option for 2024, while Pina is owed $4.5MM next season with a $4MM club option for 2024. Pina already seemed like something of a trade candidate even before the Murphy rumors began swirling, but the injury-prone d’Arnaud could also potentially be shopped. Moving Contreras would be the biggest of the possible moves, as between his hitting potential and team control through the 2027 season, the Braves could land a nice return in any Contreras trade.
If the A’s did trade Murphy to Atlanta, it would mark the third time that the Billy Beane/David Forst front office (now with Forst in charge of baseball operations) has swung a blockbuster trade with Anthopoulos. It was less than a year ago that Matt Olson was acquired by the Braves as Freddie Freeman’s replacement, with Oakland receiving Cristian Pache, Shea Langeliers and right-handers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes in return. Back when Anthopoulos was the Blue Jays’ general manager, he and the A’s combined on the major deal that brought Josh Donaldson to Toronto in December 2014, with Oakland getting another four-player package back.
This familiarity between the front offices and the Athletics’ familiarity with the Braves’ farm system are certainly reasons why Atlanta may be outpacing other teams for the heavily sought-after Murphy. The White Sox, Guardians, Rays, Cardinals, and Red Sox are just some of the teams known to have asked about the All-Star, and it’s probably safe to say that any team with a vacancy behind the plate has been in contact with the A’s. In fact, Murphy’s overall value is high enough that probably even some seemingly unlikely suitors like the Braves have also been checking in about his services.
F in the chat for lil d
Hey man, don’t be so down on yourself.
But in all seriousness, I don’t like this move if the Braves make it. Give Contreras a shot and supplement with capable veterans. Then turn it over to Drake Baldwin in 2024-2025.
I don’t understand this article It says “Braves not the acquiring team.” Then why was the whole article about the Braves acquiring Murphy?
Drives the price up. So many writers too they make stories to run with rumors. Makes people dream for a bit
I guess we forget that Atlanta keeps things close to the vest. Rumors about them usually aren’t true. There was no rumors about Matt Olson to Atlanta when they pulled that trade. No rumors about Kenley Jansen when Atlanta did that signing.
Atlanta keeps the lid on things
Mark Fiensand corrected his tweet after this article was originally posted. Note the timeline.
@Benjamin: You’re right about the Braves operating in stealth fashion when it comes to trades and FA signings, but there had been rampant speculation in the media the entire off season about the Braves attempting to deal for Olson due to FF not re-signing w/the Braves before the lockout.
@avenger It was written with a different title oroginally. Then updated and renamed
Hahah weird for sure. Frontrunners to non factor.
AA undoubtedly read my comment and pivoted.
Mark F is usually on point like Jeff Passan but Bob Nightengale there’s some dreaming there in his posts. Don’t know why the first post said the braves as I am sure with the Cardinals need and farm they would be one of the major front runners. It’s been our biggest priority.
Murphy and Torontos catchers are better suited for the cardinals
Doubt that we already saw degrom go off the board this is going to move faster than last year
I wouldn’t say this is entirely false Murphy definitely I could see going quick with so many teams contacting them. Now I will agree and was shocked that the braves were named front runners as A’s and Cardinal’s match up well and have a history as well and a way bigger need and Mo has made it #1 priority. Could have been speculation or could have been some bad info. Mark F I will stick up for he’s usually never wrong on his info. Bob Nightengale that’s someone you take with a grain of salt until another confirmation.
@asd. Agreed, cardinals Roster is better for a trade and have the players to make a deal. Braves don’t make sense. Also it seems weird the Braves would trade for a catcher from the team they traded with that resulted in the As getting their potential future catcher.
Braves traded langeliers because catcher wasn’t a position they needed to currently address to compete. Cutting further into depleted prospect capital for Murphy doesn’t make sense
My guess is the original article did not include the “Braves not the acquiring team” part. That part was added at 5:47 or whatever time it was.
Welcome to the STL Cardinals Sean Murphy
Atlanta has like 11 catchers lmao
Zero better than Murphy though.
Yeah but they’re gonna zero out their farm to get him. Really strange. Maybe they’re sending one of their young MLB stars to Oakland.
Contreras and Muller plus a late top 20 flier.
So 12 catchers when they have other needs?
They’ll flip Arnaud to Cleveland or St Louis if this goes through
I predict d’Arnaud would get flipped for Amed Rosario. Braves get their catcher and their shortstop without spending more $.
Only way Cleveland takes d’Arnaud is if the Braves are sending cash to offset the inevitable salary difference between d’Arnaud and Rosario
Seems like Cleveland would prefer controllable cheap guys (prospects) in the event they would deal Rosario.
I don’t think that’s necessarily true at all, considering the value of prospects or signing someone like Cristian Vazquez as alternatives. The salary discrepancy wouldn’t bother CLE at all and as a CLE fan, I prefer a good one-year guy like d’Arnaud to keep from gumming up Bo Naylor’s path to the big leagues beyond 2023. That being said, do you really think the Braves will settle for Amed Rosario if they lose Dansby Swanson? I don’t see it, but like the thought. I’d do it from Cleveland’s side.
Probably not unless they’re very deep in the system, though. They don’t want to roster anyone unless it’s someone ready to play in the major leagues.
The Braves have 2 catchers better than Murphy and pitch framing will be meaningless after next season.
Pitch framing will still be important bc MLB will likely go to a challenge system similar to tennis and not full blown robo umps.
And Murphy is cheap, and Contreras is not a good catcher.
Contreras likely isn’t going anywhere. My guess is they love his bat so much they want to keep him healthy. Keeping him healthy while upgrading defensively is what world series contenders do.
Had to reply up here. A’smoroninuk muted me.
In the minors they have gone to full blown robo umps. that the ump himself can overturn. It’s not subject to review or challenge by the teams.
Pitch framing as a valued skill will be gone come 2024. That does not mean catcher defense or game calling skills will be of less value.
I think you are right about not allowing challenges from the bench. They are trying t speed up the game and that would do the opposite.
Contreras gotta be going to Oakland.
lol, knew it. Braves never had the firepower to get Murphy.
Make up your mind
No speculation on whom he will be traded “for” though?
You don’t like reading manifestos that basically just name a team?
Seems a bit weird for the braves. Good player, odd fit.
.236 career hitter
I’m on your side Butch——I know things are different these days but it seems that Murphy has become the second coming of Johnny Bench the past few months.
Good for the A’s if they get three plus high level guys for him.
I agree that the Murphy frenzy is overblown. He’s had one really good year playing full time and that’s it. And CLE fan is acting like he’s essential to winning, as if they didn’t win last year with Hedges and Maile. If Murphy was such a difference-maker, how come the A’s lost 100 games? I guess we’re saying they would have lost 11o without him?
They lost 100 games because they have eight other guys on the field, and obviously they didn’t have good seasons. In 1972 Steve Carlton won 27 of his team’s 59 victories. I guess you would call Carlton a difference-maker even though his teammates were not.
The point is, trading upwards of 36 years of control in prospects for a guy with 3 is not something many franchises should be doing, especially Cleveland. People have this funny notion that a boatload of “prospects” are no sure thing (even though everybody in the majors was one once) and the performance of ONE veteran catcher with one really good full-time year is somehow guaranteed. I really don’t accept that.
Butch, with .249 being the new .300, I think a lot of people would say his hitting is semi-elite.
Ah, the batting average argument…
On-base percentage and power? Gold Glove defense? Who cares, his BA is low.
/s
Gbs, if you can slug and play solid D (especially as a catcher) then yeah eff it. I agree.
BA isn’t this useless stat people make it out to be, but with catchers? Murphy hitting 250 last year put him 13th among C with 300+ PA. And his OBP was 7th, SLG 10th. In his first real full season, that’s very good. I think most assume he’ll get even better, especially if he goes to a more hitter friendly park. I’d take him in a second on my team.
Mike127: I don’t think the case is being made that Murphy is so great, as opposed to Murphy’ overall performance in context with the rest of MLB catchers. In other words, he so good comparatively because most catchers who are defensively adept can’t hit anywhere near what Murphy can overall. Likewise, the ones who are better on offense can’t catch nearly as well in defense. Plus, Murphy has been very consistent at both.
I would take him on the Halos in a heartbeat! Slugs doubles…GG…easy choice.
We could have given them Adell for him.
If I’m Jed Hoyer, Murphy would be bigger priority for me than a ss. I’d trade a lot to get him
I would throw in Stassi so they have a backup catcher too.
I certainly don’t disagree with any of the comments made. To me, his most positive asset is his control over the next few years. Good for the A’s of soaking in this value and getting every drip of blood from the turnip that they can get.
I’m just amazed how much his value has apparently risen since the end of the season.
8.4 fWAR the past 2 seasons.
That doesn’t help anyone’s argument because WAR is garbage.
Says the guy who doesn’t understand the stat. There is a reason that every single team uses a version of WAR in their player evaluation.
Bravo, DTD/ATL!! WAR, fWAR, BAPIB, OAA, etc., all belong in the dumpster. Tells me nothing.
Tells us heaps about your lack of understanding of the game.
BaseballisLife;
They also use dozens of other stats.
So?
Earlier today I noted that the 2022 Astros breezed through the post-season and steamrolled everyone to get to and win the World Series.
One of their most valuable players was Martín Maldonado, and every one associated with the Astos knows it.
Mr. Maldonado had a bWar of 0.2 and an fWar of 0.5 in 2022.
The champion Astros sure aren’t making decisions based on solely on WAR.
Every single time someone says that about WAR and other advanced stats they reveal themselves as baseball Luddites.
All teams have huge analytics departments today and they use data beyond what fans have available to them. WAR is one stat all teams use. If a fan says its garbage, it says that the fan’s understanding of how the game is played and managed today is garbage. 100%.
Murphy is 4th among C in wRC+, OPS, ISO, 3rd in DRS 11 over last two seasons.
Top 5 Catcher
Samuel. You are completely wrong. The Astros absolutely are making decisions based on WAR. Not solely on WAR, but it is near the top of the list of decision-making tools.
Catchers and 1B are the two positions where WAR is off. Neither version of WAR takes into consideration pitch framing or game calling in any way. That is the majority of what a catcher does today. You can be sure the Astros keep track of both of those things.
Maldonado was NOT one of the most valuable position players on the Astros. Not even in the top 5. Include pitchers and he is outside the top 9.
He was a decent catcher with a good rapport with his pitchers. His total lack of offensive skills, including in the playoffs, makes him not nearly as valuable as a catcher like JT Realmuto who has the defensive skills AND hits well.
There was a valid reason the Astros felt it was necessary to trade for a 2nd catcher. Maldonado’s deficiency on offense was it.
The stat cannot be proven. It’s a statistical impossibility as every player would have to be in the exact same situation to determine a replacement level player. It’s a nerd stat for guys who can’t evaluate actual talent.
If it couldn’t be proven, then every team in baseball would not be using it. Just admit you don’t understand it.
I just told you how it can’t be proven. If you can’t tell the value of a player by watching them play, that’s on you.
Totally agree, DTD/ATL. That’s how it was always done. You used your eyes to tell if a player was any good. I suppose if Lou Gehrig looked good w but had a bad WAR he would be on the bench. All of these analytics are helpful for coaches and managers, to evaluate players instead of going by what they see, but I don’t need all of those useless numbers to know who is playing well or not.
That is hilarious. All the teams use the advanced stats, even with amateur prospects, because you cannot tell the value of a player simply by watching them play. They use them because they are proven. What is not proven is your eye test.
Time to join the 21st century.
WAR is a great stat to evaluate a players value but not a great stat to assume a players fit.
It’s an even worse bWAR and fWAR has even further limited value as it relates to catchers because it doesn’t take “intangibles” into count and there are certain intangibles that are vital to a catcher/pitcher batteries success.
Framing, blocking, etc are one thing, but being able to speak pitcher, be the pitchers psychologist behind the plate is an immeasurable stat. Catchers are also the only player who sees the field from their perspective, ie they see the other 8 players positions, what they are doing, how they are playing so leadership from the catcher position is also very important.
The FOs can refer to analytics all they want because that’s their job. I don’t need to refer to mind-numbong numbers to know if a player is good or not. My point is, how did teams evaluate talent before analytics? Willie Mays is one of the greatest players of all time. Agreed? How on earth did the Giants know this without the help of analytics? Maybe they trusted in what they saw?
2nd most WAR at catcher behind Realmuto since 2019
Why do you comment as websoulsurfer and as BaseballisLife? Especially on the same thread…
1. Batting Average is a joke of a stat to evaluate players on
2. Murphy has been getting better each year at the plate, making you pulling “career” stats totally bunk.
Bad analysis, no surprise it comes from an account that ends with a bunch of random numbers.
Can’t you just enjoy a game without all the numbers? Do you need to take out a calculator to know that Maldonado is a good catcher but not a good hitter? Is it impossible to know that jv is a winning pitcher until you get some useless statistics. It isn’t lack of runs that turns kids off of baseball. It’s the math.
Why are the Braves interested in Murphy? They’re pretty well stocked at catcher aren’t they?
An improvement is improvement. Maybe A’s are interested in players the Braves aren’t as high on like Pache last year. Can always trade a catcher.
Right, Dream. AA has mentioned in interviews that he isn’t opposed to “adding strength to a strength.”
Doesn’t look it is going to happen but can see why he had some interest. I said somewhere else I wouldn’t mind Contreras at dh more than catcher to keep him healthy.
If Braves get him it’s a prelude to a big trade later!
If that’s true, let’s hope it involves BOZO-una. If we can’t trade this clown, let’s release him to MADD…
Contreras (plus prospects) will be traded to Pitt for Reynolds.
Pittsburgh has the best catching prospect in baseball, whom they spent a #1 overall pick on.
Davis is no longer the Pirates top prospect or top catching prospect. Endy Rodriguez has taken that spot. Davis will have to make the move to 1B.
Davis is a high-end prospect but he might not even be the best catching prospect in the Pittsburgh system (Endy Rodriguez), let alone all of baseball.
Francisco Alvarez, Gabriel Moreno, and Diego Cartaya are all rated higher by most places.
Who has some defensive questions about him and could probably make the majors sooner if he didn’t have to worry about catching everyday
Yes; I see that happening if Atlanta gets Murphy flipping Contreras for Reynolds could be a possible scenario. I just don’t know what Altanta would do with Eddie Rosario and Marcell Ozuna contracts.
Honestly at this point releasing one or both is probably all they can do.
Pittsburgh doesn’t want Contreras they’ll be signing Roberto Perez until Endy Rodriguez is ready later next year
Besides if Nuttimg was against giving Reynolds a substantial contract, they’re certainly not going to want Contreras
Braves need another catcher?
Let’s take an area of strength and turn it into a logjam. This sounds like something SD would do.
Is this the beginning of the spectacle known as winter meetings? Afraid it’s all going to be hype and speculation with little actual activity.
Things that make you go, hmmmm
Travis D, Pina, Contreras already.
What goes to the A’s?
A Catcher and so on.
The A’s have their top catching prospect ready for the show. They don’t need a Braves catcher. I’m not buying this.
If Contreras came in the deal, he would probably DH and play a few games to give Langeliers a day off here and there.
The A’s have like 4 or 5 elite catching prospects all almost ready for MLB. Susac is only a year or two off. They need to acquire pitching and big hitting bats.
Langeliers maybe ready but beware of inflated hitting in Vegas. Soderstrom should be moved off catcher. Susac is multiple years away.. I don’t know what other catchers there are, maybe jj schwarz and McCann who are older, had nice seasons in AA, both are rule 5 eligible
Yeah I don’t get this for Atlanta.
Braves already have like 4 catchers on their 40-man including an allstar in Contreras and d’arnaud who’s also pretty solid. I don’t think they’d be looking to upgrade at catcher
This screams Oakland leaking something to try and get other teams to up their offer
Some of the catchers may be involved in the trade.
I sure hope not because the A’s don’t need any catchers at all.
Exactly. A’s throwing gas trying to pump up offers
If the A’s were floating a false rumor, why would they say it was the Braves that were close to getting Murphy? Seems like a catcher-needy team would be a better choice as the fictitious team in a false rumor.
Because everyone already knows those teams are interested. The famous “mystery team” or “dark horse team” coming out of nowhere are always good for gas. A’s trying to fleece somebody.
It’s kind of common to announce that others are interested in a team’s top asset. It’s to see which teams are after that player and it’s also to see what these teams will pay
It still makes little sense to choose a team to start a false rumor about your catcher, that’s already well stocked with catching, and whose farm has taken a hit. If you’re going to start a rumor about your catcher, make it a team with good prospect depth, and that’s catcher-needy, or where Murphy is a clear upgrade. If the A’s floated this as a false rumor they are extremely poor at being devious.
Considering the ATL GM just shut the rumor down I would label it as a false rumor.
Well obviously. The fact that it was false was not the issue. It was about the idea that the A’s falsely floated the rumor. I’m not an A’s fan, far from it, but that theory is nonsensical.
WTH?
Well the Braves did trade them his replacement
Aloha folks, I knew this day would come. I feel for A’s fans. I’ve watched many games at the Oakland coliseum. Murphy is a joy to watch. For those who appreciate the backstop position, I feel the hardest of the position spots because not only do you want a strong receiver, pitch caller and defender behind the plate. You also hope to have a great “manager” of one’s pitching staff. Murphy is that kind of a player, like having an additional coach on your staff. Wish him well, sad for Oakland. Who knows, the team maybe out of the area in a few years. Mahalo
Contreras becomes trade chip then…
Very very strange. I would get it if the Braves had a clear #1 catcher who could then be turned into something else in a trade. But they have TWO starting level catchers. They have the best catching situation in baseball (or maybe 2nd or 3rd with the Dodgers and Blue Jays in the conversation). What the hell? This smells like Oakland trying to get another team to up their offer.
What other teams are in the running?
Several
There are a few mystery teams as well.
My guess is they trade Contreras if they get Murphy. It makes no sense as a braves fan.
If I am not mistaken in 2022 Atlanta had the most offensive production from the catcher position of any team in the majors. It seems odd for them to pursue a catcher, HOWEVER, I am sure Anthopoulos has something up his sleeve that will both make sense AND improve the team going forward.
I for one am VERY interested to see what happens.
Almost all the Braves top prospects are pitchers, and their rotation is already set. Maybe they want to send a few to Oakland for Murphy, then send Contreras to someone else for some position player prospects? All I got.
Makes sense. D’Amaud is in the final year of a two year contract. Club option at 8 million for next year won’t be exercised. Murphy mentors for 3 years for less money
If the Braves get Murphy, or otherwise decide to just go with Contreras and Pina, the Cubs would be a logical spot for D’Amaud to pair with Gomes. By August the Cubs will know if Miguel Amaya really is ready to take Gomes’ spot for 2024, and they might be willing to invoke the club option.
Why would the A’s take another Braves catcher in this trade. Murphy is expendable to the A’s bc they traded for Langliers to be his replacement. Why trade Murphy for another catcher who won’t play much or be splitting time. Just seems to me if the A’s trade then they would want some more value in return than a secondary catcher being the main piece. Either this is BS or the Braves have an idea on who and where they are going to trade one of their other catchers bc I don’t think the A’s are looking to acquire another catcher
Who says they’re trading Murphy for another catcher?
Take a look at all the other comments here. I should have responded instead of a new comment.
All good friend
Nothing about this trade makes sense, so we’re missing something. Maybe a 3-team trade.
GUYS!!! Re-read the title of the article! It says “BRAVES NOT THE ACQUIRING TEAM!!! True, the article contradicts itself, but it doesn’t seem as if the Braves are the acquiring team.
Initially everything that was written was about the Braves acquiring Murphy. Later it was revised. Maybee you should re-read the article.
I said re-read the TITLE of the article. Maybe you should re-read my previous post.
THIS is exactly why I don’t like the DH. Instead of the best catchers being spread throughout the league, teams can hoard them on the bench and can use them as a DH. It helps them slightly, but it really hurts their competitors. Infielders and outfielders are easy to plug and play from the minors, but catchers are a valuable commodity.
Many teams don’t have one good hitting catcher let alone two
Exactly my point.
@hflew: “really hurts their competitors.” Isn’t that the point……….
I’m guessing if Atlanta makes this deal, pina is gonna be dealt and it possibly opens the door for TD or Contreras to be dealt for a Ss or LF. Pretty interesting to say the least. Catching is historically brutal in todays game and this would give the Braves an embarrassment of riches at the position
Come on Cardinals! Something like Gorman, Baez, Woodford can get this done.
You could get the whole A’s team for that.
So. This means Atlanta will make the trade then.
Mo is smart enough to not get completely fleeced by the A’s though, which I’m pretty sure this is exactly what they are trying to do. Leak this so Cleveland and STL up their offers.
They better not trade Baez
I think that would be worth it. Imagine if you got to have a catcher slightly better than molina on average entering his prime?
Tons of foul ground in Oak. He’s much better than Molina offensively.
Good hitting catchers have always been hard to find. I can think of JT Realmuto and Mitch Garver (when healthy). Can anyone think of solid hitters at catcher?
I can think of 100s. Look at the catchers from every all star game. Most didn’t get there from there glove only.
Rutschman
Will Smith
Kirk
Jansen
etc.
The top 3 catchers in MLB list contains Realmuto, Rutschman and Murphy. Murphy has the 2nd most WAR out of all catchers since 2020, only Realmuto clears him.
Adley also obviously clears him, but Murphy is still clearing everyone else, especially Kirk, who plays in all hitter-friendly parks.
I completely forgot about Rutschman, Perez, and Contreras.
Don’t you treat me like no dog gimme cootie cat.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Bloom tries to get d’Arnaud if the Braves get Murphy
Just seems like an organized leak to jack up the price of Murphy..
I don’t see it.
I like the update. The only way trading for Murphy would’ve worked would’ve been to get them to take Pina and send Ozuna to the house and DH Contreras full time. They have much bigger needs than a 4th catcher.
Out of the running, eh? Fine with me.
the Matt Olson trade put a dent in the Braves farm, if they wouldnt have traded Langeliers, they wouldnt be trading for Murphy, which will cost them a few more top prospects.
It does seem like a very odd player for whom to dump the Braves prospects. Not suggesting Murphy isn’t worth it, but the ATL-OAK deal for Murphy just doesn’t seem like a great fit for ATL given their needs.
The only way I see this as viable is if AA already has a deal lined up for another position of need, likeSS, and perhaps involving Contreras.
Mets should go for him and include James McCann plus $11.5MM of the 12 remaining on his contract.
Why would the A’s want McCann? Can’t imagine it no matter how much salary the Mets ate.
It would be a catcher for $250k/yr. They have no intention on winning so what’s the difference who it is?
Not saying it would be the only return but the Mets should try to throw McCant-hit into any deal they do.
I can see why the Mets would want to move McCann, but I still see no reason why the A’s would want him. Surely, they can do better. The only way I see enticing the A’s to take him is if the Mets attach a reasonable prospect.
I’d love to have a good catcher in Queens, but getting rid of McCann’s contract will require either a lot of alcohol or giving up prospects. Not sure how likely that is unless he has a bounceback spring and someone is desperate for a veteran catcher early on.
Murphy to STL?
To St. Louis for Burleson, Mejia, and Herrera
To St. Louis for Gorman, Liberatore, Burlson and Herrera
That does sound like a trade the A’s would go for!
That sounds like a solid trade for both teams.
Who is mejia?
Johnathan Mejia ss 10th best cardinals prospect.
Thanks, totally forgot about the kid
If there’s one team in MLB that doesn’t need a Catcher, it’s the Braves. Makes no sense to me.
To NY
Trade him to the cards for Gorman
Nowhere near enough. Liberatore or better as the top piece, plus more.
Gorman, Liberatore, Burlson and Herrera.
That’s about right.
As fans about to be disappointed if this is the return they think they are getting for Murphy
I’m wondering if it’ll be Cleveland that gets him. They need a starting catcher, not to mention offense in general
Guards or Cards I’d say. Either way gonna be a haul.
Reporters just throwing stuff against the wall hoping something sticks.
You go from braves frontrunner to the braves saying no chance.
Liars and bad reporting time if the year.
No, this is a tomorrow site and players, agents and front offices give tips all the time that don’t pan out.
If you REALLY have the time, you could scour this very site to make up a spreadsheet of all the reporters who come out with these bogus “per my sources…who no one knows exist” storylines that writers create to fill word counts and get paid, and make up a “who actually breaks news” vs “who just blows smoke” scale so we can go “oh, this guys saying it? who cares, its not true.”
It’s the writer’s job to convey information they receive from their many sources. If it doesn’t pan out, it’s the result of FOs changing their minds, inaccurate information given from teams to sources or a number of other reasons. It’s the writer’s job to keep their publications or websites going and it isn’t always easy during the off-season. That’s why we get information about guys who only their mothers know signing minor league deals. They have to keep this site going until spring training begins. Like I said, it’s not always easy.
avenger65: I agree w you 100% on this topic. Plus this SPECIFIC website is titled MLB TRADE RUMORS.
it’s the angels!
Hope it’s Boston but I don’t see Bloom dealing prospects.
I’m guessing it will be the Rays, who will give up Mead and/or Bradley in the package, which may contain more players from Oakland going to TB.
Braves not the acquiring team. But could still be involved.
Or maybe they’re just throwing in Dale Murphy, circa 1980.
Pirates trade Reynolds to Oakland for Murphy and PTBN. God, I kill myself with sarcasm.
My gosh the Oakland A’s and their poor fans. I feel for all of you. Worse still they won’t even begin to show competitiveness until their stadium situation is cleared up.
They made the playoffs in 2020 and won 86 games in 2021 lol people love to just say stuff
Yeah I know that. I’m talking about this past season and future seasons. The article is about another good player getting traded. Not understanding why you felt the need to talk about 2020 and 2021. Lol people just love to say stuff I guess.
Everyone made the playoffs in 2020
Could be anybody, there are several starting catchers out there who could probably use a position change or primary DH/backup catcher role. Just don’t see it being in the AL West. There’s the Catcher rich teams like TOR TEX PHI who you know are probably not in the running.
So now that we know the Braves went from frontunners to “definitely not acquiring him,” who is the new frontrunner??
TB? Lowe?
A’s don’t want Lowe, They want prospects who are a year or 2 away.
Let’s get it done now Redbirds
Yeah that’s a great guess. I don’t think they have any kids ready to play there and are already salary strapped with the hot corner so probably would rather deal for cheap controllable than address in free agency
Salary strapped? The Cardinals have $20 -$28 MM to spend this off-season if they desire. That’s hardly salary strapped.
Huh, those are very specific figures that I’m guessing you are reading from a reporter. I myself wasn’t aware that the Cards were lookin to become Padres Central lol. They have a good young core already. But I guess Yadi coming off the books helps
It’s fairly salary strapped.
Yes they are specific. Judging from previous opening day highs and the organization’s stated desire to bump payroll up, let’s call it a 10 percent increase, it is spot the hell on. The Cards aren’t broke. Revenue from this past season will be between 350-400 mil thanks to the Pujols farewell tour.
After what they are paying NA and Goldy, to be willing to dish out that much MORE annually would be a clear declaration of intent to spend more. An attempt to keep up with the joneses. Much in the way Seattle increased their annual payroll by a ton in this past calendar year.
Whichever team trades for Sean Murphy better give up their top 5 prospects or no deal.
He’s not worth a teams too THREE prospects, let alone top five. In fact, he’s probably not even worth a teams top TWO prospects.
For example, the Cardinals are not going to trade Jordan Walker for this guy. No team would.
It’s nice to dream though.
Walker, Gorman, Winn and Libertore might get you in the conversation for Murphy. Cards are going to have to give up more than they did for Marcel Ozuna to get papa Murph
A’s fan you are going to be very disappointed if you expect that kind of return.
Gorman, Greceffo, and Mejia gets it done.
Again, not only is Walker not going anywhere, but there isn’t a team out there that is going to give up their number one prospect. Murphy would be a nice get, but he’s not worth THAT.
I’ll let you get back to your Xbox now.
Walker and Winn are pretty much untouchables. If the A’s turn down Gorman and Libertore for Murph they are crazy.
oh look, a’sfaninuk made up another account to propose stupid trades.
While multiple teams are in the running, the Braves are somewhat surprisingly “considered the frontrunners” to pry Murphy away from the A’s.
The Braves aren’t going to be the team that lands Murphy, Feinsand tweets in a new update, though the A’s do still look like they’re nearing a deal.
What can I believe any more?
That Feinsand has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about…..ever.
The paperwork is, at this moment, being prepared by Cleveland
Will Benson
Tyler Freeman
Zach Plesac
For Sean Murphy
Completely disagree with this trade. In fact, it is wrong. A’s would not accept that return.
No, the paperwork is not being prepared.
Prepared for the paper shredder
I am thinking and feeling the trade was a joke but this response made me laugh out loud. Thanks.
When people make up rumors, they lose credibility and respect. You’ve lost yours.
Murphy won’t even pull 1 top prospect… maybe 2 or 3 mid teir prospects at best.. A’s fans believe he is Albert Pujols or Mike Trout…. he isn’t. Q
He doesn’t have to be Pujols or Trout… he is who he is… which is a top 3 catcher in the league. Worth more than you think.
Farhan never blinks on a Catcher….don’t be surprised
The Braves don’t need Murphy. Catching is one of their strengths.
Peter Gammons once admitted to making up rumors, just to have something to report. I wonder if that’s what’s going on here.
It would not surprise me at all. Seems too many fall under the Heyman-Nightengale School of reporting where a hint, a discussion with a paper shredder employed by the team, or just a random thought in midday is enough to write articles suggesting the trade discussions are gaining traction.
I don’t mind printing actual stories but I’ve seen the “Mystery Team” language die off with the pervasive “either 8 or 12 teams are interested in ‘x’ player, but we only know the names of 3 of those teams.”
I get wanting to be first with news. I get wanting to keep information flowing; but I’d rather put out news that people respect and be right 100% of the time I actually do get it out there first, rather than be wrong 90% of the time but get the incorrect information out first all the time.
You have a link to that? Otherwise, it’s you that is making stuff up.
Google is your friend.
Links are your friend when you are the one making the statement. Other than a blog, I can find nothing about it. Can you? If so, post a link.
I am not making any statement. I am just holding them to the same standard they demand of others. It sounds like you found what you were looking for anyway.
“If you looked you would not have reason for the link to be posted. You have the name of the writer. Now go look.” – outinleftfield
Hmmm…
Lets Pull this off White Sox!!
Seems to me this is a case of the reporter jumping the gun. The Braves have no need for Murphy, but they do still have holes in that lineup and could be part of a 3 team trade. That is the most logical option here.
Mets gonna get him