The Atlanta Braves have had their share of struggles with their bench this season.  It's not that the Braves have had injuries to key position players or bench hitters that could explain the struggles, the bench just not has produced like they did in 2013 or how they usually have throughout their careers. There have been a few rumors saying Atlanta may want to acquire someone that could come in and provide depth on their bench down the stretch, here are a few that could wind up in Atlanta within the coming week: 

This past offseason, Atlanta brought in C/OF Ryan Doumit to seemingly repeat the role fellow C/OF Evan Gattis had in 2013, 3rd catcher/backup outfielder/#1 pinch hitter, but who was now the everyday catcher after long-time Brave, Brian McCann, signed with the New York Yankees in the offseason. The Braves acquired Doumit, in December, from the Minneosta Twins for P Sean Gilmartin after he batted .247 with 14 HR and 55 RBI in 135 games, racking up 435 at-bats in 2013. However, in 2014, Doumit is having a career worst year across the board. In 96 at-bats, Doumit is batting only .208 with 3 HR and 12 RBI's in 61 games while striking out 29 times. 

A couple of other players who have slacked off from their decent 2013 campaigns are OF Jordan Schafer and INF Ramiro Pena. Schafer, 27, has a mere .169/.253/.479 batting line with 0 HR and 2 RBI in 71 at-bats (55 games), however, he does have 15  stole bases and has been caught stealing only once after having a career best 2013 where he had a .247/.331/.346 batting line with 3 HR and 21 RBI while stealing 22 bases. Pena, 29, came into 2014 coming off his 2013 season that saw him have a .278/.330/.327 batting line while hitting 3 HR and 12 RBI, all except batting average and RBI, were career highs in 97 at-bats (50 games). 

An under-the-radar, low-risk player Atlanta may pursue could be Twins OF/INF Eduardo Nunez. Nunez, 27, came to the Twins, in exchange for P Miguel Sulburan, earlier this year on April 7th after the Yankees designated him for assignment. Nunez is batting .266 with 3 HR and 16 RBI in 36 games, 109 at-bats so far for Minneosta in 2014. However, as of July 9th, he was batting .302 and his average has dropped as he is currently in an 0-13 slide. He can play every position except catcher, first base and CF and has played each position quite well, with only 3 errors (1 each at SS, 3B and LF) in 199 1/3 total innings.

Another Twins Outfielder that Atlanta could pursue could be Sam Fuld. Fuld, 32, was also dealt to the Twins mid-season after they selected them off waivers from the Athletics on April 20th. Since then, he is batting .284 with 1 HR and 13 RBI while also stealing 11 bases in 141 at-bats (46 games).  Fuld can play all 3 OF positions, though, 331 2/3 of the total 376 2/3 innings he's spent in the OF this season have been in CF. On the contrary, he has played 66 more games in his career in LF than CF. He has 3 outfield assists, all coming in CF as well, and has been known as a 'highlight reel' defender throughout his career. 

Finally, someone else Atlanta could pursue would be Cubs OF Justin Ruggiano. Ruggiano, 32, has been the Cubs starting RF after taking the job from the struggling Nate Schierholtz but could accept a bench role for a contender. Also, considering Ruggiano is 32 he likely is not apart of the Cubs future and with the overflow of infield prospects the Cubs have, they could look to move them to the OF or re-position current infielders. In 57 games, and 162 at-bats, Ruggiano is hitting .284/.354/.438 with 4 HR and 20 RBI.

Throughout his career, Ruggiano has played more games in CF and LF than RF. He has already surpassed his career high season total for games played in RF. With that being said, he's played exceptionally well defense this season, while he only has 1 outfield assist, he has not committed an error in 323 1/3 total innings. 

These guys are just a few that Atlanta, or another team looking for bench help, could look into and acquire in the coming days. This writer thinks Atlanta could certainly use another bat coming off the bench at the end of games and/or who can make occasional starts.

*stats accurate as of July 21st, 2014*