Braves trade rumors: Atlanta looking at catcher market

The catching situation for the Atlanta Braves hasn’t been good for the most of the season and that was before Tyler Flowers was placed on the disabled list due to a broken hand.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports that the Braves are likely to check in with the Brewers about Jonathan Lucroy but the price will be high and it is unclear as to whether Atlanta would be willing to part with some of their prospects to make a deal.

Leading up to the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline, the Braves will likely be among the many teams that check in on the possibility of acquiring Jonathan Lucroy from the Brewers. Atlanta has shown interest in Lucroy in the past and might have pursued him more aggressively this past winter had the Milwaukee catcher not sustained a concussion late last season.

Now that Lucroy has re-established himself as an All-Star and has shown no lingering effects from the concussion, he will be in demand over the next couple of weeks. If the Braves were to attempt to make a deal, they'd likely need to feel confident they could provide a contract extension to the 30-year-old catcher who has a $5.25 million option for the 2017 season.

There figures to be a big demand for catchers, Lucroy in particular, in the lead up to the trade deadline. The bidding may ultimately go past what Atlanta deems acceptable. Bowman also reports that the Braves might look for another veteran option for this season to help assist its young pitching staff.