Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics exchange catchers in three-way trade
The Milwaukee Brewers have finally landed that elusive front-line catcher they’ve been seeking, while the Atlanta Braves ensured they'll have three more seasons of quality depth at the position.
According to multiple reports, as part of a three-team trade the Brewers acquired William Contreras, a first-time all-star this past season, from the Atlanta Braves as well as minor-league reliever Justin Yeager on Monday.
Also coming to Milwaukee is right-handed reliever Joel Payamps, via the Oakland A’s.
In exchange for those three players, the Brewers sent outfielder Esteury Ruiz – one of two prospects acquired in August in the Josh Hader trade – to the A’s.
In addition, Oakland sent catcher Sean Murphy to Atlanta for catcher Manny Piña, right-handers Freddy Tarnok and Royber Salinas and left-hander Kyle Muller.
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In landing Murphy, 28, the Braves give up a promising slugger in the young All-Star Contreras, but gain a excellent two-way performer behind the plate. In 2023, Murphy will pair with All-Star Travis d'Arnaud — who is likely their primary DH for the moment — in the final year of d'Arnaud's two-year, $16 million contract. The Braves hold an $8 million option on d'Arnaud for 2024.
Contreras, who turns 25 on Dec. 24, hit .278 with 20 home runs and 45 runs batted in with an OPS of .860 in 97 games in 2022. He made 89 starts – 57 at catcher, 31 at designated hitter and one in left field.
He started the All-Star Game as the designated hitter for the National League. Over his final 48 games, he hit .304 (52-for-171) with nine homers and 22 RBI.
Just as important from the Brewers’ perspective is the fact Contreras is under team control through 2027.
Contreras is the younger brother of new St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, the longtime Chicago Cub.
Payamps, who turns 29 on April 7, was 3-6 with a 3.23 earned run average and WHIP of 1.37 in 41 appearances with the Kansas City Royals and Oakland in 2022. He also struck out 41 in 55⅔ innings.
The right-handed Yeager, who turns 25 on Jan. 20, was a 33rd-round pick of the Braves in 2019. He went 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA and WHIP of 1.17 in 41 appearances between advanced Class A and Class AA this past season while striking out 81 in 52⅓ innings.
The 23-year-old Ruiz, who was the Brewers' 10th overall prospect according to the Journal Sentinel, is coming off a career season in which he led all levels of the minor leagues with 85 stolen bases. He played three games for Milwaukee in September.
Contributing: Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sean Murphy, William Contreras in Braves, Brewers, A's catcher trades
