Sean Murphy Could be Next on Trade List for Houston Astros

Willson Contreras has generated a lot of buzz on the trade market, but Sean Murphy could be just what the Houston Astros need.

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The Houston Astros have been in the conversation surrounding a number of different trade opportunities leading up the August 2 MLB trade deadline. One spot the Astros could really use some additional help is behind the plate.

While there has been chatter of Houston making a move for Cubs backstop Willson Contreras, another name that could move up the list in a hurry for the AL Champions is Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy.

Murphy would come with a lot of upside for the Astros. The Peekskill, New York native ranks seventh among MLB catchers in fielding percentage (.992) this season and has a range factor of 8.70. Murphy is a wall behind the plate, only allowing one passed ball so far in 2022.

You may be thinking this is just one good season for him, but you would be wrong. Murphy has been as consistent as they come at the catching position for the past three seasons. He has been ranked in the top-10 among catchers in nearly every fielding category since the 2020 regular season and is a blocking machine, only allowing six total passed balls during that span.

The defensive aspect of Murphy's game is appealing, but his bat may be even more enticing for Houston.

He is slashing .244/.322/.426 this season with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 324 at-bats. The only Astros player that has stepped up to the plate more times than Murphy this season is Alex Bregman.

Murphy currently leads the A's in batting average, on-base percentage, and hits (79) this season. He seems to be getting even more comfortable in the batter's box as the season progresses, hitting .286 over the past week with an OPS of 1.149.

All this prompts the question, why would Oakland want to trade him? The answer comes from the minor leagues.

The Athletics’ top prospects according to MLB Pipeline prospect rankings are both catchers. Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom are numbers one and two on the list, respectively, and the A's may look to bring them up in the near future. If this is the case, Oakland could be taking calls to move Murphy.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one potential key to making this happen is the Astros giving up a starting pitcher. This should not be a problem for Houston. The rotation is already solid, and with the expected return of Lance McCullers Jr. in August, the Astros could be willing to part ways with one of their starters in order to acquire Murphy.

Regardless of how everything unfolds, the combination of Murphy's solid defensive play and reliable hitting is something Houston needs behind the plate. He would complement Martín Maldonado very well, and that duo would be a great one-two punch behind the plate for the Astros down the stretch.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

1. Astros Swept for First Time During 2022 Season
2. Report: Astros "Willing" to Trade a Starting Pitcher
3. Astros' Prospect Pedro León Cutting Down Strikeouts in Best Offensive Month
4. Report: Astros Being "Extremely Aggressive" as Trade Deadline Approaches
5. Benintendi Could be an Ideal Trade Target for the Astros
6. Astros Announce Signings of First- and Second-Round Picks
7. Astros' Winning Streak Snapped After A's Shell Odorizzi
8. Is Garrett Cooper the Solution at First Base for the Astros?
9. Astros' McCormick, Díaz Improving in Brantley's Absense
10. Astros Seek to End Road Swing Unblemished at Oakland

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