The second week of free agency reminded Braves fan a lot of the first - no significant additions to the MLB squad. Owner/GM of the Braves said, "This free agency period is has been dominated by teams paying big money to fill holes in their rosters. The way I see it, the fringe clubs and those who are rebuilding have chosen to compete for free agents. Its surprising to see this many rebuilds cannonball into FA instead of taking on bad contracts and building their farm system."

Back by popular demand - Notable contracts in week two;
Jose Altuve - 5YR @ $33M DET - I'm still not over Kyle freaking Seager getting $31M a year but this makes it mildly better. Altuve is a saint for all of us short people of the world. Quoting Teddy KGB of the movie Rounders, "Pay that man his money".
 
DJ LeMehieu - 5YR @ $22M TB - Big contract for one of the best hitters in the MLB. He plays in a stacked line up and a hitter friendly park. Good pick up for TB also joining Moose.

Jason Kipnis - 5YR @ 15M TB - Ummmm, not sure where to start. TB now has $71M wrapped up in their infield through 2020 - for 4 starters - if you include Tulo. I like their DJ and Moose signings...this one will hurt their knees with how much the will be praying!

Brandon Crawford - 5YR @ $10M SF - Very interesting contract after a sub-par year...or was it sub-par? After reviewing the stats, Mr. Crawford hit his career AVG, scored his AVG in Runs, and had his third best HR season total. SF is hoping he is a late bloomer and can reach his prime in his early 30's. He's currently 31 Years Old!

Adrian Beltre - 3YR @ $13M CHC - at nearly 39 years old (according to a Dominican birth certificate for all that's worth) this looks like a garbage deal. However, when you look at the stats, Beltre has put up surprising great numbers throughout his 30s. Even last year with injuries, he put up really good stats. The risk is retirement...does he hang em up after this year - his last real year under contract?

Cristian Santana - $5.8M signing bonus SF - makes me wonder why I am here writing for the Herald when there is this much money to blow on a 20 year old in A ball! Sure he has upside - but 5.8M worth? I guess teams can do this since you have to use your budget or lose it!
 
Week three rumblings have heard ATL looking to make a splash on an OF. Not sure why when they have the best OF in the league, but there is always a method to the madness with GM Nelson. Plus a fan can always hope!

Please feel free to comment on any FAs below. Please keep unsigned FAs off the topics unless you want to be trolled!

PC + 50k

5 yrs @ 4m annually; 20m total

Atlanta was mostly quiet on the first week of ’18 Free Agency Period. Owner/GM, Jeff Nelson, said, “Our team has a great mix of players already assembled after some early trades. We are excited about our moves so far with adding Goldy, Gregerson, and Tillman. We will continue to monitor the free agency market and the trade block.”
The Braves made two minor signings. Both players are young, elite fielders with upside bats.
•   17 year old C, Victor Heredia
•   18 year old, IF, Angel Lopez

Some major free agents signed in the first week;
•   Kyle Seager; MIA; 5YR @ $31M/PY. This is certainly surprising for a guy coming off a down year. Did MIA know this is the elder of the Seager Bros? This is the second biggest annual salary in the MLB after Votto’s $31.5M. MIA is hoping (and better be praying) Kyle will find his prime in his early 30’s - which he currently is.
•   Matt Carpenter; CIN; 5YR @21M/PY. Carpenter made a big splash in which will likely be his last big contract. The contract will expire when he is 37 years old. The contract is surprising considering the down year Carp is coming off of, has never hit 30 HRs, nor, has he recorded 100 RBIs in a season.
•   Mike Moustakas; TB; 5YR @ $20M/PY. This looks like a bargain compared to Seager’s and Carp’s contract. Moose will only be 29 years old at the beginning of the season – younger than both players above. Moose has shown a high ceiling with his bat the past few seasons. TB is betting Moose will find a hitter friendly home and continue to produce at an All-Star level.
•   Brian McCann; DET; 3YR @ $14M/PY. An aging catcher gets quite the pay day. Good news for DET that McCann’s bat defies nature – it continues to get better as he gets older.
•   Devin Mesoraco; CHC ; 4YR @ $6.25M/PY. I was just going to write “whaaaattt?” – but that just isn’t the great journalism you’ve come to expect at the Herald. This goes to show that one good year can lead to quite a nice pay day in free agency. Makes one wonder why Mike Trout and Bryce Harper signed extensions earlier this off season.
•   Matt Adams; SF; 4YR @ S6M/PY; Nice payday for a guy who DFA’d last year. He did end up producing when given a shot so SF made a nice gamble on Adam’s upside.
•   Albert Pujols; SF; 2YR @ S9M/PY. Second 1B signed this week. CI position is filled – or is it?
•   Mike Napoli; CLEV; 3YR @ $5M/PY. Nap getting a surprising 3 year deal. He has shown he has a very high ceiling. If he gets close to his ceiling in any year, the contract could be worth the venture.

Both Adrian Beltre and Yunel Escobar are still unsigned. Week Two of FA is underway with the names of Altuve, LaMahieu, and Crawford sparking rumors.

Correction 1/22/18. Elder hermano Seager contract initially was confirmed at 27M annually...actually $31M! wow!

ATL offers Ian Kinsler 3yr @ 4M annually; total 12M