You've written that Braves general manager Frank Wren is looking to find top-quality starting pitchers via a trade. Who else is available?
-- Roger D. Walterboro, S.C.

The best part about the trade market is that it can produce surprise opportunities that fill needs and immediately alter the roster-reconstruction project. Four years ago, John Schuerholz didn't sit down for Thanksgiving dinner knowing that he was just a few weeks away from fleecing A's GM Billy Beane in the deal that brought Tim Hudson to Atlanta.

In other words, we can speculate all that we want about who Wren might get to serve as the ace of his starting rotation. But as the Jake Peavy negotiations have proven, speculation often only leads to uneasiness among fans. While there's still a chance Peavy lands in Atlanta, there's also a chance Wren will ultimately acquire a starting pitcher that hasn't yet been linked to the Braves.

Actually, there's a good chance Wren will ultimately land a starter who has been inaccurately linked to his club. Contrary to a report that surfaced earlier this weekend, the Braves have not talked to the Rangers about Kevin Millwood or Vicente Padilla. In fact, they have zero interest in these two hurlers.

Braves fans can also forget about Matt Cain, Roy Halladay or Aaron Harang. The Braves have made several inquiries about these pitchers and have been told they aren't available.

Still, while the Reds aren't seemingly willing to deal Harang, they will certainly listen to offers for Bronson Arroyo, who obviously isn't going to create the same kind of pre-trade excitement as Peavy. But the trade cost would be substantially cheaper, and Arroyo is certainly capable of at least providing some veteran stability at the top of the rotation.

The same could be said of Javier Vazquez. Wren has said that he's had multiple discussions with White Sox GM Kenny Williams, and you can be assured that the conversation has included both Vazquez and outfielder Jermaine Dye.

The Braves remain hopeful that they'll eventually win the bidding war for A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe. If they are able to sign one of these free-agent pitchers, somebody like Arroyo or Vazquez would be viewed as a more attractive acquisition.

I'm just using these two names because they make sense and the Braves would have interest in acquiring them. But if Wren ultimately lands a starting pitcher via trade, don't be surprised if it's somebody that you won't be thinking about when you sit down to eat your Thanksgiving feast on Thursday.

Who are the Braves looking at to fill in the middle of the order? Carlos Lee? Magglio Ordonez? Dye? Or will they look to find a diamond in the rough like a Carlos Quentin?
-- Will K. Las Vegas, Nev.

With Jeff Francoeur, the Braves already have a Quentin-like gamble to place in their outfield. The D-backs had seemingly given up on Quentin when they dealt him to the White Sox last year. All Quentin proceeded to do was produce MVP-caliber numbers before breaking his right wrist and missing September.

This isn't to say Francoeur is going to enjoy the same kind of dramatic turnaround next year. Instead, it's to point out that the Braves aren't in position to roll the dice with both of their corner outfield positions next year.

The Braves have at least talked about Ordonez, whose contract includes an $18 million salary for 2009 and $15 million club options for both the 2010 and 2011 seasons. There is a $3 million buyout for 2010 and no buyout for 2011.

But among these players you mentioned, most of their interest would center around Dye, whose contract includes an $11.5 million salary for 2009 and a $12 million option with a $1 million buyout for 2010. The 34 homers he hit this past season were seven more than all of the Atlanta outfielders combined.

As has been previously reported, the Braves have also looked into the possibility of acquiring Ryan Ludwick, who hit 37 homers with the Cardinals last year. But they'd rather acquire a more consistent power producer. Their fear is that Ludwick could become the next Morgan Ensberg, whose power significantly dipped after he surprisingly hit 36 homers in 2005.

Why has there been no talk of trading Minor League catcher Tyler Flowers as part of a deal for a starting pitcher?
-- Nathan D., Nashville, Tenn.

Recently, I answered a similar question by explaining that the Braves essentially don't have any other catching prospects in their Minor League system. Because of this, I don't think they're in a position where they could trade Flowers. But once again, it really doesn't matter what I think.

Since then, I've gained a sense that the Braves might be willing to deal Flowers if his inclusion allowed them to complete a significant trade. His stock is certainly as high as it's ever been, and with Brian McCann likely in place for many years to come, the Braves could certainly be persuaded to move Flowers. But the return would have to be great.

Have the Braves announced who will replace Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren? They are two broadcast legends who will be missed.
-- Charles S., Birmingham, Ala.

The Braves have not announced who will serve as their new radio broadcast team. Chip Caray will likely continue to do all the games that don't interfere with his television commitments to Peachtree TV and TBS. But it's still not clear who will be working the radio broadcasts.

Currently, the Braves are looking a number of candidates from outside the organization. One name that I've heard is Jim Powell, a University of Georgia graduate who has called Brewers games for more than a decade.

If the Braves are looking for a broadcaster about 25-30 years from now, they may find Tristan Caray as a candidate. Chip's wife, Susan, gave birth to Tristan on Nov. 19 and the baby's proud papa says that everybody is healthy and looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with the latest addition to the Caray family.