Atlanta Braves Trade Rumors: Julio Teheran Should Be Traded to Make Playoff Run

If the Atlanta Braves want to gain the advantage over the Washington Nationals in the National League East, they need to part ways with pitching prospect Julio Teheran.

According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, after missing out on Zach Greinke and Ryan Dempster, the Braves seem content to seek out bullpen and bench help while holding on to Teheran:

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The Braves might not have announced on anybody's radio show that they've moved on with Zack Greinke, the way they did for Ryan Dempster, but they are telling teams that they're turning their focus away from the rotation and are shopping more for bullpen and bench pieces. That would be an indication they have no interest in dealing Julio Teheran for a rental player. It's also an indication that they will have a tough time convincing themselves they can re-sign Greinke in the wake of the Cole Hamels contract.

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While the Braves haven't officially said that they would not trade Teheran, the club certainly wouldn't look to trade him for a "bullpen or bench piece" as Stark writes. 

However, the Braves should still be actively shopping Teheran if they can get the right player. 

Teheran is a great prospect. According to Baseballamerica.com, he was the No. 5 prospect in all of baseball after the 2011 season, and many expected him to be called up and contribute this season for the Braves.

That hasn't been the case, as Teheran has seen his production dip this season and his lone start didn't yield the kind of results that Braves fans had been hoping for.

Teheran still holds his value for teams that are looking to sell, he just hasn't shown that he is ready to help the Braves as they close in on a playoff bid.

All indications point towards the Braves settling with adding a minor piece, but taking Teheran off the table could wind up being a move that is detrimental to their hopes of claiming a very winnable division.