When the Atlanta Braves included William Contreras in a three-team trade that ultimately brought Sean Murphy to Atlanta, the decision left fans puzzled and disappointed. Contreras, affectionately known as “Wild Bill,” was fresh off the best season of his young career, earning his first All-Star selection. He slashed an impressive .278/.354/.506, hit 20 home runs, added 14 doubles, and drove in 45 runs. These contributions resulted in a stellar 136 OPS+, making him 36% better than the league average offensively. While his defensive skills were admittedly a work in progress, Contreras’s offensive output seemed to far outweigh any perceived deficiencies. To many, trading such a promising talent seemed unnecessary, even reckless.
However, new insights have recently come to light, offering some perspective on the Braves’ decision-making process. According to Braves insider Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the choice to trade Contreras had less to do with his offensive capabilities and more to do with concerns about his performance behind the plate. Specifically, some of Atlanta’s pitchers were reportedly hesitant to throw to him, raising questions about his game-calling and defensive reliability. Bowman explained, “The William Contreras trade that brought Sean Murphy to Atlanta feels like a big miss. But some pitchers didn’t want to throw to Contreras, and Murphy still has time to prove he can be the catcher the Braves envisioned.”
The High Cost of Defensive Concerns
For the Braves’ front office, led by Alex Anthopoulos, acquiring a defensively elite catcher like Sean Murphy must have seemed like the logical next step. Murphy had established himself as one of the best defensive catchers in the league, known for his pitch-framing, arm strength, and ability to handle a pitching staff. On paper, swapping Contreras for Murphy looked like an upgrade, especially given the Braves’ emphasis on pitching. However, this move came at a high price—one that, in hindsight, seems steeper with each passing day.
Murphy’s tenure in Atlanta began on a high note. During the first half of his inaugural season with the Braves, he was an offensive powerhouse, boasting an OPS near 1.000 and even entering the NL MVP conversation. At the All-Star break, it looked as though Anthopoulos’s gamble had paid off. Yet, Murphy’s performance took a sharp downturn in the second half of the season. Over his final 41 games in 2023, he batted a dismal .159 with a .585 OPS, signaling the start of a troubling decline.
Unfortunately, those struggles persisted into the following year, culminating in what many consider the worst season of Murphy’s career. He finished with a batting average below the Mendoza Line (.200), managed just 10 home runs, and recorded a career-low .636 OPS. For a player touted as the complete package, his offensive woes have been glaring, leaving fans wondering if the Braves bet on the wrong catcher.
Meanwhile, in Milwaukee: Contreras Flourishes
While Murphy has struggled to find his footing in Atlanta, William Contreras has been nothing short of spectacular for the Milwaukee Brewers. In his first season with the team, Contreras posted an .831 OPS, hit 17 home runs, and earned his first Silver Slugger award. His performance was a clear indication that he was more than capable of being an everyday catcher and a significant offensive contributor. However, it was his second season with the Brewers that truly solidified his place among baseball’s elite.
Contreras set career-highs across the board in 2024, slashing .281/.365/.466 with an .831 OPS. He smashed 23 home runs, scored 99 runs, and drove in 92 RBIs, all career bests. Among National League catchers, Contreras led in nearly every major offensive category, including batting average, home runs, runs scored, RBIs, and OPS.
Since 2022, Contreras has been one of the most productive catchers in all of Major League Baseball. He leads all catchers in batting average, OPS, runs scored, and WAR (Wins Above Replacement), while trailing only Will Smith in home runs and RBIs during that span. Perhaps most notably, Contreras has made significant strides defensively—a former weakness that has now become a reliable part of his game. His ability to improve behind the plate has silenced critics and added to his growing reputation as one of the game’s best all-around catchers.
A Trade That Stings for Braves Fans
As Contreras continues to thrive in Milwaukee, earning his second consecutive Silver Slugger award, the Braves are left grappling with what increasingly looks like a lopsided trade. Sean Murphy’s defensive prowess may have been the primary motivator behind the deal, but his offensive decline has left a significant void in Atlanta’s lineup. Contreras, on the other hand, has not only maintained his offensive dominance but also addressed the very defensive issues that led to his departure from Atlanta.
For Alex Anthopoulos, a general manager celebrated for his shrewd moves, this trade may be one he regrets deeply. While Murphy still has time to prove himself and rewrite his story in Atlanta, Contreras’s continued success in Milwaukee serves as a painful reminder of what the Braves gave up. Watching Contreras emerge as a superstar, leading National League catchers in almost every offensive metric, has undoubtedly been difficult for Atlanta fans to stomach.
The Road Ahead
Despite the current narrative, it’s worth noting that Sean Murphy’s chapter in Atlanta is far from closed. Baseball is a game of ebbs and flows, and a resurgence is always possible. Murphy’s elite defensive skills remain a valuable asset, and if he can recapture his offensive form, the trade could still pay dividends for the Braves. However, with Contreras thriving and showing no signs of slowing down, the bar for Murphy’s redemption is set incredibly high.
For now, the trade stands as a cautionary tale of what can happen when a team prioritizes defense over offense without fully weighing the long-term potential of a young star. The Braves may have solved a perceived problem behind the plate, but in doing so, they may have let go of a player destined to be one of the best catchers of his generation.