BREAKING: Braves Shock Fans by Signing Chadwick Tromp to a Minor League Deal, Hinting at Unexpected Catcher Plans for 2026.vc
The Braves have surprised MLB again! Chadwick Tromp — a familiar face in Atlanta — returns on a minor league deal. But the big question fans are asking: is this just roster depth… or the first hint of a bigger plan?
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have made their first “shocking” move of the offseason, signing veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, per reports confirmed on Friday.
Tromp, 30, is a “familiar face” who has served as the organization’s trusted third-string catcher for several years, including brief MLB stints in 2024 and 2025.
On the surface, the move is a simple depth signing. But given the Braves’ current roster, fans are buzzing that this “isn’t just roster depth” — it’s the “first hint of a bigger plan.”
The “Catcher Logjam”
The “big question” stems from Atlanta’s “embarrassment of riches” behind the plate. The Braves’ 40-man roster already features:
- Drake Baldwin: The reigning 2025 National League Rookie of the Year, who proved he is a frontline starter.
- Sean Murphy: A 2023 All-Star with a $73 million contract, who is returning from hip surgery but is expected to be ready for Spring Training.
This creates a massive “catcher logjam.” While GM Alex Anthopoulos has publicly stated the current plan is to platoon both Baldwin and Murphy at Catcher/DH, this is widely seen as a “smokescreen” by baseball insiders.
Why Tromp’s Signing is a “Hint”
The Braves’ most “glaring” offseason need is frontline starting pitching. Their most “valuable” and “obvious” trade chip to acquire that pitching is Sean Murphy.
By signing Chadwick Tromp, Anthopoulos has just secured his “perfect insurance policy.”
Tromp is a veteran who is “trusted” by the pitching staff, knows the organization, and can immediately step in as Drake Baldwin’s MLB backup. Anthopoulos could not trade Sean Murphy until he had a reliable, MLB-ready third catcher in the system.
With Tromp now secured, the “biggest domino” of the Braves’ offseason is free to fall. This “minor” signing has “shocked” fans because it’s the first tangible signal that a blockbuster Sean Murphy trade is not just possible—it’s actively being planned.
