Atlanta Braves Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

Despite seemingly starting a rebuilding process this past offseason, the Atlanta Braves find themselves in contention at the midway point of the 2015 season.

That's good news for the fans, but for the organization, that may not be best for the long run. Being a fringe postseason contender can make for a fun summer, but it also makes it tougher for a club to continue to try to rebuild. No team wants to trade away pieces in order to acquire pieces for the future if it's still in the race.

Should Atlanta decide to continue the rebuilding process at the deadline, it does have some pieces that other teams would be interested in. It's just up to the Braves to decide whether to try to make a run this year or look to the future.

Keep coming back throughout July to see what rumors the Braves are involved in and what deals they make before the trade deadline passes.

*All stats are via MLB.com.

Done Deals

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

July 16: Signed RHP Jason Frasor

July 17: Signed LHP Ross Detwiler

July 24: Traded Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson to the New York Mets in exchange for RHP John Gant and RHP Rob Whalen

July 30: Traded LHP Alex Wood, RHP Jim Johnson, RHP Bronson Arroyo, INF Jose Peraza and LHP Luis Avilan to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for INF Hector Olivera, RHP Zachary Bird, LHP Paco Rodriguez and a competitive balance pick

July 30: Trade Alex Wood in 3-Team Deal

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The Atlanta Braves have completed a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here are the details of the trade, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:

• Dodgers get: RHP Mat Latos, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Jim Johnson, RHP Bronson Arroyo, 1B/OF Michael Morse, INF Jose Peraza, LHP Luis Avilan and cash
• Braves get: INF Hector Olivera, RHP Zachary Bird, LHP Paco Rodriguez and a competitive balance pick
• Marlins get: RHP Jeff Brigham, RHP Kevin Guzman and RHP Victor Araujo 

The Atlanta Braves are involved in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Dodgers are reportedly set to acquire right-hander Mat Latos, first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse and a competitive balance pick from the Marlins in exchange for three minor-league players, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. 

Atlanta had to give up a promising lefty, but given the amount of talented young arms the team has in the system, it was a move the club felt good making.

Olivera is hitting .348 with two home runs, two doubles and one triple in the minors this season. While he hasn't had much experience playing professional baseball in the United States, there is potential in the 30-year-old's bat.

The Braves attempted to sign the Cuban infielder this past winter, but the Dodgers ended up signing him to a $62 million deal. Now, Atlanta will be on the hook for the remaining five-plus seasons of Olivera's contract.

In this deal, Atlanta gave up a talented young arm along with some veteran pitchers. In return, they got an infielder that it pushed for last year. As long as he lives up to expectations, this won't be a bad deal for the rebuilding Braves.

July 24: Trade Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson to Mets

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The Atlanta Braves have traded Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson to the New York Mets, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman also reported that the Mets will be sending right-hander John Gant and right-hander Rob Whalen to the Braves.

Since coming over in a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Uribe looked good at the plate. He is hitting .290 with seven home runs and five doubles in 41 games. The past two years he has hit .278 (2013) and .311 (2014), respectively.

The 36-year-old Uribe is making $6.5 million and is in the final year of his contract. Given the Mets' uncertainty about David Wright's health, adding a veteran player like Uribe—who has plenty of postseason experience—made sense.

Gant has posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 17 starts between High-A and Double-A in 2015. The 22-year-old has struck out 91 batters in 99.2 innings this season.

Whalen, 21, has posted a 3.36 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 15 games (14 starts) at High-A this season.

With this move, the Braves shed some salary and acquired a pair of talented young pitchers. Flipping the veteran Uribe just a couple of months after acquiring him was a great move. Thanks to his impressive showing at the plate during his time in Atlanta, the club was able to maximize his trade value.

Potential Trade Candidate: Chris Johnson

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The Braves are looking to trade Chris Johnson at this year's deadline.  

Johnson slashed .252/.290/.333 in 48 games this season and hit one home run and seven doubles. This comes just one year after he hit 10 home runs and 27 doubles. It was just two years ago that he hit .321, but since then, his average has continued to decline.

The 30-year-old's decline in offense and big contract were not helping a team in rebuilding mode. He is making $6 million this season, $7.5 million next season and $9 million in 2017. His contract also includes a $10 million team option for 2018, with a $1 million buyout.

Trade Candidate: OF Jonny Gomes

Todd Kirkland/Associated Press

Atlanta is looking to deal Jonny Gomes, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

While Gomes isn't putting up great numbers by any stretch, the 34-year-old is the type of player any team would love to add. He brings a lot of energy and leadership to a team, and he typically wins wherever he goes.

Gomes has slashed .203/.311/.327 in 62 games this season and has hit four home runs and seven doubles.

Trade Candidate: OF Cameron Maybin

Joe Skipper/Associated Press

Atlanta acquired Cameron Maybin in the blockbuster deal that sent Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to the San Diego Padres right before the season started, and now, he could be a nice trade chip if the Braves decide to make him available.

The move from Petco Park has seemed to help Maybin. The 28-year-old is slashing .289/.356/.418 and has 19 extra-base hits (eight home runs, 10 doubles and one triple). With those numbers, he is in the middle of a breakout year and is showing why he was once a first-round pick.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported that other teams believe that Atlanta may try to sell high on Maybin, but Olney also tweeted that the Braves are not interested in dealing the outfielder right now.

The Braves don't have to trade Maybin. If they believe that he has finally arrived, they can keep him for two more seasons. He is signed for $8 million next season and has a $9 million team option ($1 million buyout) for 2017. If Atlanta isn't sold on him, it could trade him while his stock is at an all-time high.