The San Diego Padres need a left fielder, but there’s another position on the roster that is arguably just as, if not more dire, of a need. With the struggles of Martin Maldanado and Elias Diaz behind the plate, the Padres need to explore the catcher market.
While there aren’t a ton of great options, Jim Bowden, during an appearance on Foul Territory, brought up how the Padres are in the market for a catcher, and specifically, are hoping to pry Sean Murphy from the Atlanta Braves at the deadline.
“There are a couple of teams,” Bowden said, “In particular San Diego and Tampa Bay, that would like to pry Sean Murphy from them, knowing they have Drake Baldwin as their long-term catcher there. So I think there is a possibility that they could go, but if Atlanta does anything, it will probably be Ozuna, Murphy, or something small.”
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While the Padres are making an effort, or will make an effort to acquire Murphy, it’s going to be a tough move to execute.
With the Padres expected to compete with the Tampa Bay Rays, and with the Braves reluctant to move Murphy, the chances of landing the Braves’ All-Star aren’t great.
But if San Diego could swing a deal, they’d be getting a significant improvement at the catcher spot. He’s on a massive $73 million deal through the 2028 season with a club option in 2029.
It’s another expensive contract on the Padres’ books, but with Preller and the Padres looking to buy, and the other catchers on the market not being great, there might be no other choice but to land the All-Star catcher.
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He’s 30 years old and in the middle of a strong season once again. Heading into the weekend before the All-Star break, Murphy has 15 home runs and an OPS of .828. His 128 OPS+ is the highest it’s been in the last five seasons.
Atlanta might be reluctant to move the All-Star, and they’ve expressed their intent not to move any player signed beyond 2025. But the Padres, with some intriguing trade chips, could land the Braves slugger.
It may take an overpay, but with a window for this season, the Padres should explore the potential move. San Diego can’t wait around, with Dylan Cease and Michael King both potentially leaving in free agency.
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While the trade might be to bolster the team this season, Murphy wouldn’t be going anywhere for the next few seasons. In the event of a trade, the Padres would have their catcher of the future in Murphy.
This potential move would cost a lot, and is a major unknown with the Braves’ uncertainty in the trade market. But the Padres are interested, and if he were to be available, they’d try to land the All-Star and Gold Glove catcher as their trade deadline splash.
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