Cardinals: Why St. Louis should make Sean Murphy their next catcher

What it will cost to acquire Sean Murphy from Oakland

Let’s be frank, Sean Murphy is going to take a lot of value to acquire. But Cardinals fans keep saying they want St. Louis to make a significant move, right? If so, then fans need to get comfortable with the idea of making an aggressive offer, knowing that is what it takes to bring in premier, controllable talent.

Other clubs who are interested in Murphy, like the Guardians and Braves, have deep farm systems and can make a strong offer for the two-way star. The Cardinals will need a significant center piece in this deal, and the player that seems to be linked the heaviest for St. Louis is Nolan Gorman.

Yes, losing Gorman is tough. Gorman was ranked as the 29th best prospect in baseball before his call-up in 2022, slashing 226/.300/.420 with 14 HR and 35 RBI and a 107 wRC+ in his first 89 big league games. The 22-year old is an awkward defensive fit on the roster with Arenado manning his natural position of third base and Gorman grading out as one of the worst defenders at second base in 2022. Brendan Donovan just won a utility Gold Glove and projects to be the club’s second baseman in 2023, making Gorman someone the club could use as a trade chip.

If I am being honest, I would much rather send Dylan Carlson or Lars Nootbaar as a center of this package, but I think Gorman is the guy Oakland would want. Gorman presents a ton of potential at the plate from the left side and would be very appealing for a rebuilding team. But the Cardinals have to get used to the idea that it’s going to hurt to acquire an elite catcher, but its worth it for the chance of contending.

Here is what I think a trade for the Oakland catcher could look like.

Steep price to pay? Yes. But again, the Cardinals are acquiring a top 5 catcher in the game who will be a two-way star, and they have to pay up to grab that kind of talent. Gorman would be the centerpiece of this package, and then I think it will take one more top prospect and a high ceiling, low floor guy as well. Gordon Graceffo makes a lot of sense for Oakland, but maybe this would be a guy like Matthew Liberatore or Alec Burleson instead. Joshua Baez would fit the bill as that lower level, high upside prospect that could complete this deal, but guys like Jonathan Meija could work instead.

At the end of the day, Murphy provides St. Louis with the impact bat they need, elite defense behind the plate, and is controllable for years to come. This kind of player is worth cashing in major chips for, and I believe it is easily the best option for St. Louis this off-season.