LB’s hot stove is beginning to ramp up, and the second day of the Winter Meetings has already brought several notable free agent signings around MLB. The Atlanta Braves made a modest move by signing James Karinchak to a minor league contract, but their offseason work is far from finished if they hope to remain competitive with the rest of the National League.
One avenue Atlanta could explore to upgrade its roster, particularly the back end of the bullpen, is the trade market. With Drake Baldwin coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign, there has been speculation that the Braves could consider dealing catcher Sean Murphy. The San Diego Padres have emerged as a potential fit.
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Braves Trade Concept Sends Sean Murphy Out of Atlanta
The Padres may see several players depart via free agency this winter, but AJ Preller is unlikely to scale back his aggressiveness when it comes to making trades.
Under this proposed scenario, San Diego would acquire Sean Murphy, along with the remaining six years and $73 million on his contract, in exchange for reliever Wandy Peralta and pitching prospect Bradgley Rodriguez.
The idea makes sense for both organizations. San Diego has long been looking for a catcher with legitimate power potential, while Atlanta is in need of a reliable bullpen arm who can handle volume and provide consistent innings.
Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves
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Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves
Murphy earned an All-Star selection in 2023 following his arrival in Atlanta from the Athletics. Injuries have limited his availability since then, but he has continued to show power when healthy.
During the 2025 season, Murphy belted 16 home runs across 94 games. That production has come with some offensive struggles, as he posted a batting average below .200 in both 2024 and 2025.
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What Wandy Peralta Could Offer the Braves
Atlanta’s bullpen was a major weakness last year and played a role in costing the team several games.
San Diego picked up Peralta’s option this offseason, though he can be overlooked in a Padres bullpen stacked with talent. In 2025, he recorded a 3.14 ERA over 71.2 innings while appearing in 71 games.
After a challenging beginning to his career, Peralta developed into a dependable relief option during his stint with the Yankees from 2021 through 2023.
While this wouldn’t be a headline grabbing move, it could make sense if the Braves commit to Drake Baldwin as their everyday catcher. Moving Murphy would allow Atlanta to add bullpen depth and bring in a prospect to help restock the farm system.
As the Winter Meetings continue, expect speculation surrounding a potential Sean Murphy trade to gain more momentum.