Last offseason, the Braves made a surprising blockbuster trade involving a three-team deal with the Athletics and Brewers, acquiring Sean Murphy. While Murphy has largely lived up to expectations as the team’s new catcher, there’s a lingering concern that the player they traded away, William Contreras, could end up being the standout performer in the trade. Contreras, who progressed through the Braves’ minor league system impressively, showcased remarkable offensive prowess in his first full major-league season in 2022, boasting a .279/.354/.506 slash line with 20 home runs.
Although his defensive skills were questioned, Contreras, at just 24 years old, had potential for improvement, a hope that materialized during his time with the Brewers. In Milwaukee, Contreras not only excelled defensively but also delivered offensively, finishing the 2023 season with an impressive 5.7 fWAR, the highest among catchers. With Contreras continuing to perform well in the current season, hitting .375/.445/.661 through 14 games, there’s growing scrutiny over whether the Braves’ decision to trade him, along with other promising prospects, for Murphy was the right move. Despite Murphy’s potential, currently hampered by injury, the Braves may rue the decision to part ways with Contreras, who offered both offensive prowess and affordable team control for the foreseeable future.