The Braves Have Signed Ryan Howard To A Minor League Deal
I think it’s fair to say that adding Ryan Howard to your organization would’ve been a franchise-altering move about ten years ago. Here in 2017, Howard gets a minor league deal with a chance to become a left-handed bat off Atlanta’s bench. But you know what? At least he’s got a job, and he deserved that much. Sure, he’s fallen off greatly over the past five years, but he’s still been able to hit homers when he’s healthy. Despite hitting .219 with a .706 OPS over the last three seasons, he’s still averaged 24 bombs a year.
I don’t think he “deserves” a starting job somewhere, but his 25 homers last year represented his highest mark since he hit 33 in 2011. Whether he got a starting gig somewhere, got stashed in the minors as insurance, or was given a chance to come off the bench like he will in Atlanta, it didn’t feel right that he was jobless on Opening Day, so I’m glad that he’ll be given an opportunity with the Braves. And props to the Braves, who have been giving a lot of opportunities like this to veteran players who they still believe have something left in the tank. Guys like RA Dickey, Bartolo Colon and Howard are the end of the road guys who you can’t help but root for.