Braves Rumors: Zack Greinke, Francisco Liriano and Ben Sheets

The Atlanta Braves signed Ben Sheets to a minor league deal yesterday, but they are still being tied to starting pitchers, including Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke and Minnesota Twins southpaw Francisco Liriano.

The Braves could look to target Greinke if the 2009 Cy Young Award winner agrees to an extension closer to $15 million per year than $20 million, reports David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

If closer to $15M than $20M, I could see #Braves involved RT @Skidlee23: @ajcbravesI don't see a team willing to give Greinke 20 mill a yr

— David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) July 1, 2012

Phil Mackey of ESPN Radio is also reporting that the Braves were among the teams scouting Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano.

I'm hearing #Braves, #BlueJays & #Yankees are among teams scouting Liriano today (although TOR plays KC next, so could be advanced scouting)

— Phil Mackey (@PMac21) July 1, 2012

The Braves have been tied to starting pitching since MLB ERA-leader Brandon Beachy went down with what appears to be a season-ending injury. Atlanta recently signed Sheets, and it appears that the 33-year-old will join the Braves’ rotation by mid-July, reports Carroll Rodgers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

After the club announced their deal with Sheets, they said they would still "explore trading for a proven starter at the trade deadline." Greinke would certainly qualify, and while he’s been inconsistent, Liriano has been improved of late.

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Should the Braves pursue another proven starter?

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