Braves Could Take Flier On Dodgers’ Former Top Prospect To Replace Sean Murphy

 

The Atlanta Braves have relied on Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud as their primary catchers in recent seasons. While this pairing has been solid, the team chose not to re-sign d’Arnaud, allowing him to depart in free agency. With d’Arnaud now with the Los Angeles Angels, the Braves were set to move forward with Murphy as their lone veteran catcher.

However, just months after parting ways with d’Arnaud, Atlanta now finds itself in a difficult spot. Murphy recently suffered a cracked rib, an injury expected to sideline him for at least a month. Given the physical demands of the catcher position, there’s a real possibility that his recovery could take even longer than the estimated four to six weeks. As a result, the Braves may need to explore adding another catcher to the roster.

One potential option is Minnesota Twins catcher Diego Cartaya. Once regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects, Cartaya was surprisingly designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason. After landing with the Twins, he has largely been overlooked, making him an intriguing trade candidate for Atlanta. The Braves could likely acquire him at a minimal cost.

The key question is whether such a move would be worthwhile. Atlanta already has a promising young catcher in Drake Baldwin, who appears ready for the major leagues. However, it remains uncertain if the Braves will give him a chance during Murphy’s absence.

Bringing in Cartaya would be a low-risk, high-reward move, provided the Braves can secure him for a reasonable price. If he rebounds and fulfills his potential, Atlanta could land a future star at a bargain. If he continues to struggle, the team could simply release him and turn to Baldwin instead. While Baldwin may be the more reliable choice, adding Cartaya as insurance wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Braves.