2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Braves Interested in Yankees Nunez

According to John Harper of the New York Daily News, the Atlanta Braves have contacted the New York Yankees to ask about the availability of shortstop Eduardo Nunez.  Atlanta has made it known that young starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens is available this winter, and the Yankees are seeking rotation upgrades for the 2012 season.

Harper says that the Braves think very highly of Nunez and his potential, perhaps highly enough to trade Jurrjens.  Though Atlanta’s reportedly been requiring an astronomical return for Jurrjens, many expect this asking price to come down as the offseason continues.

According to a source, the Braves are “willing to trade” Jurrjens “because they have plenty of young pitchers without him, he’s starting to make big money and he’s a Boras guy who’ll be gone in two years”.

Atlanta is in search of offense and wants to find a replacement for veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez.  Harper’s source said the Braves “like Nunez a lot”.  Though the club knows “the jury is out on him defensively”, Atlanta thinks Nunez’s “offense is strong enough that he could move to the outfield if he can’t be their long-term answer at short”.

A Yankees source told Harper that, while the Braves did approach New York about their trade interest in Nunez, Atlanta did not bring up Jurrjens’ name or that of any specific players.

If the two sides were to begin trade discussions centering on Nunez and Jurrjens, the Yankees would have to sweeten the pot; it couldn’t be a player-for-player swap.  Because the Braves are seeking offense in the outfield as well as at short, Harper suggests the Yankees add Nick Swisher their offer.  Harper believes a trade proposal of Nunez, Swisher, and a middling prospect for Jurrjens should appeal to both sides.

For more on the Yankees and Braves, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard and Tomahawk Take.