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Mitch Keller could be a target for the pitching-needy Boston Red Sox.
There have been rumors and speculation that the Pittsburgh Pirates may consider trading away Mitch Keller this offseason. If those talks materialize, the Atlanta Braves should be strongly in the conversation for making a big offseason trade for him.
Mitch Keller comes with a hefty-ish contract, but it’s nothing more than what the Braves might pay in the external market for a starting pitcher, and Keller even comes with more production than some other free agent options. Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos has indicated many times that Atlanta needs to add another impact arm, and if that doesn’t come via a free agent signing, pulling off a blockbuster trade like this would also suffice.
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Braves-Pirates Player-Swap Trade Idea Includes Sean Murphy
The Atlanta Braves don’t have many ‘tradeable’ players on their current MLB roster, or at least players that they would be comfortable trading away. However, Sean Murphy might be the top trade piece the Braves have, aside from prospects and youngsters.
In this player-swap trade piece, the Atlanta Braves offload $73 million all-star Sean Murphy in exchange for Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller. A deal that seemingly benefits both sides, and is roughly an equal financial exchange as well.
GettyPittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller
Sean Murphy signed a six-year, $73 million extension before the 2023 season. Murphy was an all-star in 2023, but has regressed and has had trouble staying on the field ever since. In back-to-back seasons, he has failed to play 100 games in each season, and his batting average in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons failed to reach the Mendoza line (.200).
Mitch Keller signed a five-year, $77 million deal a few seasons ago and has roughly $50 million remaining on the deal, which runs through the 2028 season. This trade idea makes sense when you consider each team’s needs. Pittsburgh has a plethora of young arms, but needs more veteran hitters. Atlanta needs a durable, consistent starter who can take the ball every fifth day.
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Mitch Keller’s #’s and Fit with the Braves
Mitch Keller would fit perfectly with the Atlanta Braves as a mid-rotation piece, and it’s because of his ability to make the maximum starts per season.
Since 2022, Keller has averaged 30 starts and roughly 170 innings a year, with an ERA that has hovered around the high-3.00s to low 4.00 range. In 2025, he made 32 starts, and posted a 4.19 ERA over 176.1 innings. He isn’t a huge strikeout pitcher, but he keeps the ball in the ballpark a fair amount, and again, consistently takes the ball every time it’s his turn to.
With NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin’s emergence at catcher, the Braves don’t really need Murphy’s services as much anymore. Sure, “backup catcher” is important, But Sean Murphy missed the last month of the 2025 season with hip surgery, and his status to start the 2026 season is uncertain.
Atlanta should sign a low-cost catcher on a $1-2 million deal to serve as Baldwin’s backup, and then use Murphy as trade bait to acquire a big-time arm, like Mitch Keller.
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