Are the Braves going to give a good look at acquiring Martin Prado or Todd Frazier to play third base?
-- Patrick S., Williamson, Ga.
Let's go back to the story Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos told this past weekend about the dangers of chasing price while ignoring the value previously set on a player. While with the Blue Jays in 2012, Anthopoulos had little interest in pursuing Francisco Cordero, but he opted to do so in early February, when Cordero's price dropped significantly and he was willing to sign a one-year, $4 million deal.
Anthopoulos came to regret the deal, except for the fact it introduced him to Cordero, whom he repeatedly referred to as a great guy while providing this tale of caution.
:: Submit a question to the Braves Inbox ::
Look, there isn't anybody in the Braves' organization who has previously known Prado who wouldn't want him back. But he's owed $28.5 million over the next two seasons, and he's coming off a year when he played 37 games and underwent knee surgery.

There might be a desire to reunite with Prado, but there is certainly not a need, with 24-year-old Johan Camargo already quite capable of handling third base on an everyday basis this year.
Atlanta has made it clear it is only seeking short-term options, as next year's plans for third base could include rising prospect Austin Riley or possibly a free-agent gem -- Manny Machado or Josh Donaldson.
As Spring Training draws near, there's at least reason to debate a one-year deal for Frazier, who hit 27 homers with a .772 OPS with the White Sox and Yankees last year. If the price becomes right, maybe there would be reason to hope that unlike Cordero, Frazier could prove to be more than just a "great guy." Or maybe a few months of solid productivity would be enough for Frazier to be flipped for a solid return before the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Or maybe the Braves should remain patient, as they stand more than just an addition away from becoming legit postseason contenders this season.
This year seems to be a perfect opportunity to give Camargo a chance to build on last year's success and show what he can do while playing on an everyday basis over an entire season.

It certainly seems more prudent to make this evaluation now as opposed to next year, when -- with the development of some young starting pitchers and sound use of the $40-60 million they'll have to spend -- the Braves could indeed stand as a legit postseason contender in need of a now piece.
Why are the Braves holding on to Julio Teheran?
-- Scott H., Douglasville, Ga.
You might not be trading pennies on the dollar, but as Teheran comes off a season when he posted a 4.49 ERA over 32 starts, the potential return might be quarters on the dollar. It seems wise to give him another chance to restore some of his value, like he did in 2016. And it's not like Teheran's presence in the rotation will block a prospect, who absolutely needs to be in the Majors at the start of the season.

If the Braves open the season with a rotation consisting of Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, Brandon McCarthy, Luiz Gohara and Sean Newcomb, Lucas Sims could fill a bullpen spot and Max Fried could benefit from the development time he lost when he was unexpectedly rushed to the big league level last year.
Here's an optimal chain of events that could develop in the season's first few months: At least one of Foltynewicz, Gohara or Newcomb provides confidence they are ready to be a frontline starter. Then as Teheran is restoring his value, Fried, Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard are breezing through International League opponents and providing every reason to believe they are ready for the Majors.
We're all wise enough to know not everything will go right for each of the young starters this year. But it's certainly feasible to think by the end of this season, at least three of those pitchers will be deemed a better option than Teheran, who is owed $19 million over the next two seasons.
Remember when Teheran posted a 4.04 ERA in 2015, and I wrote there was a chance he'd never regain his previous trade value. Well, he did to some extent during the early portion of this '16 All-Star season. If he does so again during the early part of this year, it might be wise for the Braves to deal him.
Will Dustin Peterson have a chance to win an outfield spot during Spring Training?
-- Bruce F., Mobile
Looking ahead at potential spring battles, Peterson seems to stand as a long shot for one of the final bench spots. If Atlanta opens the season with an eight-man bullpen (there are just two off-days in the season's first 14 days) and the duo of Lane Adams and Preston Tucker platoons in left field until prospect Ronald Acuna arrives, it's hard to envision Peterson gaining one of the four available bench spots.
One of the spots will go to backup catcher Kurt Suzuki, and another will go to one of the members of the left-field platoon, Adams or Tucker. Charlie Culberson, who is out of options, could also serve as half of that platoon duo. But for now, we'll project him to open the season as a utility man. The battle for the final bench spot could be waged between Danny Santana, Jaff Decker and Peterson.