Back in December of 2022, nearly two years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers surprisingly took part in a three-team trade that sent Oakland A’s star Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves. Former Brewers catcher Manny Pina went from the Braves to the A’s along with a plethora of prospects.
The Brewers, meanwhile, sent Esteury Ruiz to the A’s while receiving Joel Payamps in return. They also got 2022 All-Star catcher William Contreras from Atlanta, making room for Murphy to take over as the Braves’ primary backstop.
To say that Milwaukee robbed Atlanta blind in this trade would be an understatement.
William Contreras Has Thrived with the Milwaukee Brewers While Sean Murphy Has Struggled with the Atlanta Braves
In his first season with the Braves, Murphy hit .251/.365/.478 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 108 games. He made the National League All-Star team over Contreras that year too.
However, in 2024, Murphy appeared in just 72 games and hit .193/.284/.352 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI.
Contreras, meanwhile, has grown into one of the most consistent, durable, and best defensive catchers in all of baseball since coming to Milwaukee.
In his first season with the Brewers, Contreras hit .289/.367/.457 with 17 home runs and 78 RBI in 141 games. He finished 11th in NL MVP voting and won his first career Silver Slugger.
Last season, Contreras was voted as a starter for the NL All-Star team, and finished the season hitting .281/.365/.466 with 23 home runs and 92 RBI while playing in an astounding 155 games. He won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award and came in fifth in NL MVP voting.
The Atlanta Braves Traded William Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers Because Pitchers Didn’t Want to Throw to Him
In a recent article in which he discusses top trade candidates for the Braves, MLB insider Mark Bowman revealed the shocking reason Atlanta chose Murphy over Contreras back in 2022: Braves pitchers didn’t want to throw to him:
“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.”
Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Contreras’ defense was a concern. However, the Brewers have had success in helping their catchers improve defensively, and that certainly has been the case for their All-Star backstop.
In 2022, his final season with the Braves, and the year he made his first All-Star team, Contreras had a Defensive Runs Saved figure of -4. The year before, in 2021 (the year Atlanta won the World Series), it was -7.
This past year, Contreras had a Defensive Runs Saved figure of +6.
Over the past two seasons, the Brewers’ two-time Silver Slugger has played 228 games at catcher (296 games overall). During that same time frame, Murphy has played 171 games at catcher (180 games overall).
While Contreras’ offense and defense have both been crucial to Milwaukee’s success, so too has his leadership in the clubhouse. Fortunately, he still has three more years of club control remaining. Hopefully Milwaukee decides he is worth one of their rare long-term contracts.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
