Braves fans, let’s talk about something that isn’t a problem for once: catching, while the pitching staff needs reinforcements and the left-field carousel keeps spinning, one position the Braves can safely check off their to-do list is behind the plate. Why? Because they’re already stacked.
Baldwin’s Breakout, Murphy’s Stability — A Duo Built to Last
Drake Baldwin, the rookie who turned heads this year, is the kind of young talent that makes you sit up and think, yep, we’re good for a while. The kid held his own, flashed some serious potential, and didn’t shrink under the big-league spotlight. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ve got Sean Murphy — former All-Star, signed through 2028. Unless something wild happens, like a blockbuster trade that drops jaws at the Winter Meetings, this duo is locked in tight.
Jason Delay’s Long Road Hits a Dead End With The Braves
Which brings us to Jason Delay. You might remember him from his stint with the Pirates, breaking into the majors in 2022 and scrapping his way into 134 big league games. Solid backstop. No one’s claiming he’s Buster Posey, but Delay showed he could hang — at least for a while. But baseball is a cruel business, and opportunity doesn’t always knock twice.
After being DFA’d by Pittsburgh in April, Delay was scooped up by the Braves — but let’s be honest, Atlanta didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat. He spent the season marooned in Triple-A, watching Baldwin rise and Murphy lock down innings like Fort Knox. By July, he was off the 40-man. By October, he was a free agent.
From College Champ to Free Agent — Delay’s Future Is Uncertain
Delay’s numbers this year are not pretty. A .200 average with one homer over 68 games, and a whopping 94 stolen bases allowed. The arm didn’t quite scare anyone off the basepaths, that’s for sure. But let’s not forget — he was a four-year starter at Vanderbilt, part of that 2014 College World Series championship squad. That pedigree still counts for something in baseball circles, even if the bat went cold this season.
At 30, Delay’s window isn’t closed, but it’s certainly drafty. He’s going to need to fight for a new home — maybe catch on with a club that’s desperate for catching depth. It’s the oldest story in baseball: all it takes is one injury, one slump, one surprise opportunity, and boom — you’re back in The Show.
But the Brave are not sweating it. They’ve got the catching situation locked down tighter than a playoff game in October, which they unfortunately did not make, which is another story all altogether.
