Braves' Drake Baldwin gets massive 8-year, $80M contract prediction after Rookie of the Year award

Hunter Cookston

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Braves' Drake Baldwin gets massive 8-year, $80M contract prediction after Rookie of the Year award image

The Atlanta Braves traded for Sean Murphy a few offseasons ago, and at the time, it seemed like a great move. However, Murphy hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, raising questions about his future in Atlanta. Things took a turn for the worse when it was revealed that he had been playing through a hidden injury until it became unbearable.

“Sean Murphy's struggles over the past month were likely influenced by the right hip ailment that will be surgically repaired later this week,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman wrote.

With new manager Walt Weiss in the building, Murphy may not have much leeway for mistakes. His spot in Atlanta isn’t guaranteed.

“Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy are great examples of players who haven't lived up to expectations over the last two years and still remained in the lineup. It is easy to see a new manager lacking this same patience with failing pieces. This is especially the case with players who have already been on thin ice for more than two seasons,” ATL All Day’s Nick Halden wrote.

Last season, Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin emerged as a key contributor, likely pushing Murphy toward a backup role. FanSided’s Chris Landers believes the Braves will move to extend Baldwin’s contract for $80 million in eight years.

“Catcher is also a volatile and grueling position, which should make Baldwin amenable to forfeiting at least a couple of free agency years in order to start getting paid right away. Atlanta should jump at the chance to hand him an extension despite already having another backstop under a long-term deal in Sean Murphy; lefty-hitting catchers with middle-of-the-order potential simply don't come around very often. From there, it's just a matter of finding the right number: The last catcher who signed a deal five years away from free agency was Keibert Ruiz, who agreed to an eight-year, $50 million contract with the Washington Nationals, but Baldwin is already a much better player,” Landers wrote.

Baldwin is a pure contract hitter with upside power, and he fits perfectly with the Braves’ long-term plans. His left-handed bat is a valuable addition to the lineup, and as the NL Rookie of the Year, the team is eager to keep him around. Extending him in just his second year aligns perfectly with GM Alex Anthopoulos’ philosophy.

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