The San Diego Padres may not have a need for southpaw starter JP Sears anymore. After signing starters German Marquez and Griffing Canning, San Diego has an influx of starter options. This leaves the Atlanta Braves as a potential trade partner with San Diego. Atlanta is a team in MLB with a strong need for a starter, especially after the Waldrep and Schwellenbach injuries.
With rumors surrounding catcher Sean Murphy’s future in Atlanta, San Diego would welcome the former all-star backstop with open arms.
After extending Chris Sale, the Braves still don’t really have another trusted lefty in their rotation.
More MLB on Heavy: Red Sox Predicted to Trade for Cubsâ 2X Gold Glove Infielder
Will the Braves Trade Sean Murphy?
In this trade idea, the Atlanta Braves make a player-swap with the San Diego Padres for southpaw starter JP Sears.
Sean Murphy will be sidelined to start the 2026 season, dealing with a hip injury, but a catcher-needy team like San Diego might be willing to take on Murphy’s contract for his power upside as a backstop.
Murphy signed a six-year, $73 million contract before 2023. In 2023, Murphy was an All-Star, but has not failed to hit above .200 and play in 100+ games in each of the past two seasons. This doesn’t exactly make him an attractive trade candidate, but he’s shown the ability to consistently hit for power, and if he had played in 100+ games in each of the past two seasons, his trade value might be even higher.
GettySean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves
The Padres currently have Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano as catcher options. Neither are proven hitters at the big-league level.
On top of that, Atlanta brought in a few catchers this offseason to compete for the backup spot until Murphy returns, but if Sean Murphy does return and showcases some of that power, Atlanta might be more compelled to move him, because it seems like Drake Baldwin is the backstop of the future.
More MLB on Heavy: New Braves TV Plan Should Leave Fans Excited for 2026 Season
Is JP Sears a Good Starter Option?
The Braves would be making this player-swap trade purely on the basis that JP Sears is a durable starter with proven ability to take the ball every fifth day. It might be a low asking price for a veteran like Sean Murphy, but Sears has made 27+ starts in three-straight seasons.
Have they been the most productive seasons? No, but considering the Braves are already relying on starters like Bryce Elder, who are prone to post a 5+ ERA in whatever innings he’s given, bringing in JP Sears can’t possibly be that much of a downgrade.
Sears was traded from the Athletics to the Padres at last year’s trade deadline, but he struggled in 24 innings with San Diego, which could be more than enough reason to move on from him.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Make $27 Million Decision on Ace Chris Sale
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves-Padres Trade Pitch Sends $73 Million All-Star to San Diego for JP Sears appeared first on Heavy Sports.