The Atlanta Braves today acquired C Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics as part of a three-team trade that included the Milwaukee Brewers. Atlanta traded LHP Kyle Muller, C Manny Piña, RHP Freddy Tarnok and RHP Royber Salinas to Oakland, while C William Contreras and RHP Justin Yeager headed to Milwaukee. Oakland also acquired OF Esteury Ruiz from Milwaukee, while the Brewers received RHP Joel Payamps from the A’s.
Murphy, 28, appeared in 148 games for the A’s last season, batting .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI. He led all American League primary catchers in hits (134), doubles (37), RBI (66), and total bases (229), and ranked second in home runs (18) and runs scored (67). He compiled a career-best 5.1 fWAR on the season, highest for a qualified catcher in the A.L. and trailing just J.T. Realmuto for most in the majors.
Murphy, who bats and throws right-handed, threw out 19 baserunners on the season, tied for fifth most in the majors, and his caught-stealing percentage of 31.1 was third best in baseball among catchers with as many attempts. He led American League backstops in games (116) and ranked second in assists (40). Murphy has thrown out 32 baserunners over the last two seasons, third most in the A.L.
Stay tuned to TheseUrbanTimes.com for all your MLB news. Follow @eldorado2452 and @theseurbantimes on twitter and instagram for all your MLB updates.
