On the surface, it really doesn't seem like the best of fits. After failing to garner much interest during the winter, former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves Thursday. 

Considering Atlanta has franchise cornerstone Freddie Freeman manning first base and there's no DH in the National League, one has to wonder what the plan is here. 

From a Braves' perspective, it could be about insurance should Freeman fall victim to the injury bug again. Though, the team could also decide to use the three-time All-Star in a pinch-hitting role while utilizing him as a DH in American League ballparks. 

Either way, the 37-year-old Howard will begin his Braves career in the Minors. Should he be elevated to the Majors, the struggling veteran will earn a base of $700,000 this season. 

Howard, who boasts the second-most homers in Phillies history, has fallen off the map big time in recent years. Last season saw him hit .196 with a .257 OBP in 331 at-bats. He also posted a ridiculously high 32 percent strikeout rate. In fact, Howard has struck out a whopping 442 times in 1,513 plate appearances over the past three seasons. That's an absurd 29 percent K rate. Though, he's also hit 73 homers during that span. 

A left-handed hitter, Howard will likely only see action against righties should he be called up to the bigs. He boasts a career .277 average against righties compared to a .217 mark versus pitchers that toe the other side of the rubber.