Ryan Howard Agrees to Minor League Contract with Braves

Ryan Howard's 13-year tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies has officially come to an end after the former National League MVP reached a minor league agreement with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, the team announced. 

Braves Radio Network's Kevin McAlpin first reported the news. 

Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reported Howard's deal is worth $700,000.

Howard entered the offseason facing a great deal of uncertainty, as his future in Major League Baseball appeared bleak after going unsigned through spring training. He's been a declining player for years and had his worst offensive season in 2016.

AVG	OBP	OPS+	WAR
.196	.257	87	-1.5

One thing that Howard did offer in 2016 was power. He hit 25 home runs in 331 at-bats, with his best homer-to-flyball ratio (26.6 percent) since 2012. 

Teams will always need power, though with more teams looking to keep roster spots open for utility players and bullpen arms, a part-time player who can't hit for average or against left-handed pitching narrows his window. 

Howard did know the end was coming in Philadelphia, offering this quote to Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer in September:

"

You're talking about an evaluation process of where you've gotten to see players this year play. And you'll have another opportunity to see those same players play again next year and I won't be here. So, for me, I just want to play. I don't necessarily think it's right or fair, considering this is my last month here, but it is interesting.

"

Howard's tenure in Philadelphia ended on a horrible note, but there was a time when he was one of the most productive hitters in baseball. He won Rookie of the Year and MVP in consecutive seasons, with the latter coming during the heyday of Albert Pujols with the St. Louis Cardinals. 

No one should expect that Howard to magically return, but serving as a part-time player off the bench who can hit the ball over the fence is a good way to keep a job in the twilight of your career. 

Given the small financial investment Atlanta has in Howard, if he fails early in the season, the team can opt to release him without taking a huge hit to its wallet and look for a replacement on the market or internally. 

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