Reports: Braves might be showcasing Luiz Gohara for potential trades (updated)

UPDATE: Contrary to what they reported an hour ago, Ken Rosenthal is now reporting that the Braves won’t trade Gohara (or any other starting pitcher) for bullpen help. I have no idea what’s going on.

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The Texas Rangers have sent three scouts to Gwinnett today in order to see Luiz Gohara pitch, who is starting in place of Kolby Allard, who was scratched from his regularly scheduled start.

Ken Rosenthal and Joel Sherman both reported the Braves are particularly interested in closer Keone Kela and lefty Jake Diekman. The club has also been tied to veteran third baseman Adrian Beltre, although Beltre would have to waive his no-trade clause.

As we know, Gohara had a brutal offseason in which his father died in his arms. He then injured himself in spring training and missed a month. Not long after that it was revealed that his mother would require a major heart procedure, and Gohara has been unable to recapture his 2017 form since returning from Brazil. The burly lefty still has plenty of time to get things figured out.

The biggest piece Texas has to offer is Kela, their 25-year-old closer with wicked stuff. He owns a 3.28 ERA, 2.86 FIP, 10.85 K/9, 3.03 BB/9 and has recorded 23 saves. Kela is arbitration eligible through either 2020 or 2021.

*It’s a bit unclear if Kela is arb-eligible through 2020 or 2021. It’s been reported both ways. Either way, it’s either 2.5 years or 3.5 years of control.

Diekman is more of a rental as he will become a free agent after this season. The 31-year-old lefty owns a 3.79 ERA (3.45 FIP) through 46 appearances this year, although he has been a bit wild at times (10.89 K/9, 5.45 BB/9).