The Atlanta Braves, less than 20 hours before the July 31st trade deadline, acquire Cubs pitcher Paul Maholm (9-6) and OF Reed Johnson for two minor league pitchers, sources tell ESPNChicago.com’s Bruce Levine. Braves general manager Frank Wren has confirmed with the AJC. For more on Wren’s comments on the trade and what the Braves will be doing up until the 4PM non-waiver trade deadline, click here.

Maholm, 9-6 3.74 ERA, is 5-0 with a 1.00 ERA in his last seven starts while in the Cubs rotation. The left-hander, if worthy, would prove to be a welcome addition to the Braves starting rotation. Lifetime he is 62-79 in 8 major league seasons.

Reed Johnson, batting .307 in 76 games this year, with 16 RBIs and 51 hits in 166 at bats. The right handed hitter, originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays has spent the last five years in Chicago. At 35, he plays all three outfield positions.

The two minor league players are right-handed pitchers Arodys Vizcaino and AAA left-hander Jaye Chapman. The Cubs are also sending cash with the two players. Vizcaino, one of the highest regarded prospects in the Braves system, had season-ending Tommy John surgery in April.

It may not be the ace everyone saw the Braves getting, but it improves the lineup and the rotation immediately.

For more on the trade and the newest editions to the Braves click here.

Stay tuned here for more details.

Information provided in this article from The Atlanta Journal Constitution, ESPN.COM, The Official Website of the Atlanta Braves, baseball-reference.com, cbcsports.com, .

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