The Atlanta Braves found themselves in a bit of a predicament when starting catcher Sean Murphy went down with a cracked rib early in spring training.
That left them scrambling to reinforce the position, especially after parting ways with longtime veteran Travis d’Arnaud—an offseason move that looks more questionable. With their depth chart thinning out, they reportedly set their sights on two-time All-Star Yasmani Grandal.
But here’s the twist—Grandal wasn’t interested.
Grandal Turns Down the Braves’ Offer
According to Francys Romero, the veteran backstop turned down an opportunity to join the Braves last month. Now, this is where it gets interesting.
Grandal, now 36, is a well-traveled catcher with stops in San Diego, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Chicago, and most recently, Pittsburgh. He’s been around the block, played in big moments, and understands the game inside and out.
So, if he’s not jumping at the chance to join Atlanta, you have to wonder—what’s his play here?
The Catching Situation in Atlanta
Let’s be honest: Atlanta wasn’t looking for a full-time solution. They just needed someone to hold things down until Murphy got healthy. That left top prospect Drake Baldwin and depth option Chadwick Tromp as the next men up.
Baldwin, who has yet to play in a major league game, is highly regarded within the organization, while Tromp has had a few short stints in the big leagues but hasn’t locked down a permanent role.
And that’s probably where Grandal saw the writing on the wall. Signing with Atlanta would mean serving as a short-term insurance policy, not a true competitor for playing time. If Murphy were out for an extended period, that might be one thing. But for just a month or so? That’s not a situation Grandal would find appealing.
At his age, he’s likely looking for a team that offers him a more significant role—whether due to a long-term injury situation or a club in desperate need of catching experience.
Where Will Grandal Land?
The Braves have to roll with what they’ve got. Baldwin is the exciting young guy Braves fans are eager to see. Tromp is reliable enough to get the job done in a pinch, but he’s not exactly the ideal solution. It’s a tricky spot, and it only emphasizes how much Atlanta is banking on Murphy returning strong.
As for Grandal, it’ll be fascinating to see where he lands. He’s too experienced to sit out an entire season, so it’s just a matter of the right opportunity presenting itself. But for now, one thing is clear—he wasn’t buying what the Braves were selling.
