Interest in Michael Bourn starting to heat up

Hunter Pence rumors have been running rampant all day but another Astro outfielder is starting to generate interest. Trade rumors have been pretty quiet around Michael Bourn until today with one team making a strong push, Cincinnati Reds, and one team who makes too much sense not to open discussions, Atlanta Braves.

Ken Rosenthal tweeted that the Reds were talking to the Astros about Bourn as well as Pence and Jon Heyman posted in the last hour that the Reds were pushing hard for Bourn.  From my perspective, I think a trade for Bourn makes no sense on a number of levels. First and foremost, the Reds are division rivals so the asking price right there goes up. More importantly though, the Reds already have a Michael Bourn type player in Drew Stubbs. Both are young, excellent lead off men playing the same position.

Now if I am the Atlanta Braves, I am burning up the line to Ed Wades office for Michael Bourn. The Braves have a serious need for a good lead off hitter, and two thirds of their outfield is not good. Jordan Schafer has struggled at the plate, along with Nate McClouth, who has found himself on the 15-day DL. The Braves have the pitching to make a run in the playoffs but need some help at the top of their hitting order. I think trade negotiations have stalled because of the Astros desire to acquire top pitching prospects and the Braves refusal to give up the prospects necessary, according to Buster Olney’s tweet.