ATLANTA, GA (SNN-TV) – The Braves will have a new backstop in North Port this Spring, as Atlanta acquired catcher Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics earlier today as part of a three-way trade that also involved the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Braves are tapping into their existing catcher depth as part of the deal — All-Star William Contreras is going to the Brewers, and veteran Manny Piña is going to Oakland. The 28-year old Murphy is one of the top overall backstops in baseball thanks to an above-average stick and a good glove.
Murphy now joins former Oakland teammate Matt Olson in Atlanta, who the Braves traded for last Spring Training. Barring another trade, incumbent regular Travis d’Arnaud likely shifts to a backup role behind Murphy, while also perhaps seeing time at DH.
