10 best players to join the NL East this offseason

3) Sean Murphy - Atlanta Braves

Sean Murphy's stats don't jump off the page at you, but he's one of the best catchers in the game. This past season he slashed .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI in 140 games. Those numbers are solid, but nothing special. A big reason they weren't anything special is because he called Oakland his home. He had to play half of his games in the worst hitters ballpark in baseball.

Murphy moving to Atlanta should allow him to thrive offensively. He had a 120 OPS+ last season, I'd expect that number to remain around the 120 mark if not higher in a better environment and a better Atlanta lineup.

In addition to his solid bat, Murphy is an elite defender. He won the Gold Glove award in 2021 and was a finalist this past season. He ranked in the 84th percentile in pitch framing and the 96th percentile in pop time according to baseball savant. He threw out 31% of base stealers this past season. The Braves locked him up on a long extension so he'll be in Atlanta annoying the Mets for many years to come.

2) Trea Turner - Philadelphia Phillies

Trea Turner is probably the best shortstop in the game and he's joining a team that just won the pennant. The Phillies offense was scary when seen at full strength and will be even scarier with Trea Turner hitting toward the top of the order. A Kyle Schwarber, Turner, Bryce Harper top-three is terrifying and is likely what the opposition will see down the stretch when Harper returns from injury.

Turner can do it all. He can hit for average, hit for power, has blazing speed, and is a capable defender. I don't think his 11-year contract will age well at all with speed being his best asset but I do think he makes a team that just won the pennant even better.

Mets fans got a short break from Turner when the Nationals traded him to the Dodgers but he's right back in the NL East the first chance he got and will have the chance to torment Mets fans once again.