John Perrotto started the Braves-Pirates rumors early this afternoon:

l [hear] Atlanta has interest in a couple of Pirates starting pitchers, left-hander Paul Maholm and right-hander Ian Snell, but won’t give up top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson in a trade.

D-Fab is also hearing some Braves-Pirates whispers:

Hearing that the Braves have asked the Pirates about LH Paul Maholm and CF Nate McLouth.

Asking price for McLouth would be huge, multiple top prospects at the very least, after he posted 76 extra-base hits (26 homers), 94 RBI, 23 steals and a .356 OBP and .853 OPS last year in his breakthrough season. Oh, and won a Gold Glove.

A Pittsburgh Pirates beat writer is hearing similar things:

Atlanta has asked the Pirates today about Nate McLouth and Paul Maholm, a source just told me. When I texted back to see if the source was sure, the reply came, "Yes."

Now, bear in mind here that the Pirates value these players immensely, and it would take a monster return for one player, let alone both. So assume nothing more here than that a phone call was placed. The Pirates have made it known that no one is untouchable, so it is reasonable that teams shoot high.

Later he adds:

I am further told that the Braves are going "pretty heavily" into trying to get one or both of these players. But I advise again: Imagine the return necessary to do something like that, and stay realistic.

Here are the stats from last year for all the Pirates players mentioned:

There's some good young players in this lot, even if Snell had a bit of an off-year. We heard a bunch of Snell and Gorzelanny rumors last year, and nothing ever came of it. The Pirates have a history of liking obscure prospects in our system (Jamie Romak), so when they talk about prospects I wonder who exactly Pittsburgh is considering. Let's see how much this rumor gets beaten to death in the next two days, or how quickly one of the GMs debunks it.