Braves inquired about Jonathan Lucroy trade

The Braves recently inquired about potentially acquiring Brewers' catcher Jonathan Lucroy but were told he is unavailable, according to a report from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Milwaukee is known to be willing to move some veterans as they fall further back in the NL Central race, but have not yet expressed a willingness to move Lucroy as the trade deadline approaches.

Atlanta, who has seen a severe lack of production from Christian Bethancourt (.190/.215/.286 in 18 games) and has been relying on veteran A.J. Pierzynski for offensive production behind the plate, could use some catching help, which Lucroy would provide.

The team was expected to be a non-contender this winter after trading away Evan Gattis, both Upton brothers and closer Craig Kimbrel while revamping their entire pitching staff, but has hovered around .500 for most of this season and currently sits 3.5 games behind the division-leading Nationals. If Atlanta continues their surprising performance and is contending in July, they are likely to be buyers on the trade market, and could look to add an available catcher.

Milwaukee has plenty of assets that would be seem to be available, but the team has appeared reluctant to talk about trading Lucroy, shortstop Jean Segura or outfielder Carlos Gomez to this point. Starters Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse as well as closer Francisco Rodriguez and first baseman Adam Lind may be among the team's most available veterans over the next two-plus months.