The Atlanta Braves acquired star catcher Sean Murphy in a three-way trade with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers that saw at least eight players switch teams.
The 28-year old Murphy was among the most prized players on the trade market this offseason, and Atlanta — which dealt young catcher William Contreras to Milwaukee and still has veteran Travis d’Arnaud — pounced to get him.
In addition to moving Contreras, the Braves are sending left-handed starter Kyle Muller, right-handed starter Freddy Tarnok and veteran catcher Manny Piña to the A’s. Also going to Milwaukee are right-handed reliever Joel Payamps (from Oakland) and right-handed reliever Justin Yeager.
Atlanta’s pitching depth helped land Murphy, who hit .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and played Gold Glove-caliber defense last season. Murphy, who has three years until he reaches free agency, will reach arbitration for the first time this season and was moved in part because of the emergence of catcher Shea Langeliers, who Oakland acquired earlier this year in the Matt Olson trade.