Murphy eager to reclaim status as one of game's top backstops

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Sean Murphy was enduring the worst season of his career, William Contreras was establishing himself as baseball’s top-ranked catcher.

This was not what the Braves envisioned when they used Contreras to acquire Murphy in a three-team trade on Dec. 12, 2022. But coming off a frustration-filled, injury-marred season, Murphy is ready to show he still should be considered one of the game’s elite backstops.

“He’s just an all-around guy,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said. “He plays defense, knows how to call a game and can hit. He’s the kind of guy that you feel very comfortable with leading the pitching staff. He’s got a good mentality to him. He’s a smart guy. That's what you need back there.”

As quickly as Contreras went from being a defensive liability with the Braves to MLB Network’s No. 1-ranked catcher, Murphy has the potential to remind the baseball world why folks were singing his praises at this time last year.

Murphy and Phillies backstop J.T. Realmuto led all MLB catchers with the identical 13.4 fWAR they produced from 2021-23.

“One bad year doesn’t erase all of that,” said Olson, who also was Murphy’s A’s teammate from 2019-21.

Murphy served as the National League’s starting catcher during the 2023 All-Star Game and he entered last year positioned to live up to the expectations set when the Braves gave him a six-year, $73 million deal a couple weeks after acquiring him from the A’s. But everything changed when he strained his left oblique on Opening Day in Philadelphia and missed two months.

Instead of eventually finding a groove like Michael Harris II did after missing extended time both of the past two seasons, Murphy never caught fire. The 30-year-old catcher batted .193 with 10 homers and a .636 OPS in 264 plate appearances. He had hit .251 with 21 homers and a .843 OPS in 2023, his first season with Atlanta.

Did the oblique limit him physically or mentally? Was his attempt to catch fire burdened by the fact he was splitting time with fellow veteran Travis d’Arnaud? Was the long layoff coming out of Spring Training just too much to overcome?

“It was a combination of a bunch of things,” Murphy said. “Missing that much time at the beginning, that’s not how I wanted to begin the season. I’m not sure my swing ever felt correct coming off the oblique, not that I was in any pain or hurt. Some things just fell off, and I never caught up and found a way to adjust. That's on me. I should be able to adjust quicker than that.”

The offseason allowed Murphy to recharge and prepare for the greater role that awaits him. He’s no longer surrounded by d’Arnaud, who signed with the Angels after the Braves didn’t exercise his $8 million option, and catching coach Sal Fasano, who joined the Angels' coaching staff after the Braves parted ways in October.

All eyes will be on Murphy, who still can bounce back and give the Braves what they envisioned they were getting: the game’s top catcher.

“I feel really good about where Murph is at and the fact that he is going to carry the load for us this year,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

The Braves’ plan last year was to have Murphy catch a heavy majority of their games. Instead, the 35-year-old d’Arnaud ended up making 89 starts behind the plate. Murphy did serve as the starting catcher for nearly 60 percent of the games played (66 of 112) after he returned from the injured list on May 27.

This season, Murphy could serve as the Braves’ catcher for nearly four out of every five games, while Chadwick Tromp likely opens the season as his backup. Drake Baldwin, who ranks as MLB’s No. 63 prospect, could remain in the Minors until it’s clear he would get regular playing time at the big league level.

“It stinks losing Travis, because Travis was a good friend of mine and we’re going to miss him,” Murphy said. “But the silver lining is I might get to play some more, and I prefer playing [consistently].”

If Murphy plays like he did before last year, there might not be any question who is the game’s best catcher.

“One of the points of the offseason is to get yourself in a place where you’re ready to get back and I’m there,” Murphy said.