Does Ryan Howard's Triple-A release signal the end for the former MVP?

Ryan Howard is a free agent once again after having been released from his minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Howard was hitting .184/238/.263 with a homer, five RBI and 11 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances for the Braves Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. He had hoped to hit well enough to earn a spot as a left-handed bat on the bench for Atlanta, but now the 37-year-old slugger must contemplate his options, which could include retirement.

After spending his entire career with the Phillies 13 seasons in the majors after being drafted in the fifth round by Philadelphia in 2001 Howard didnt attract much attention on the free-agent market this past offseason. He eventually settled for a minor-league deal with the Braves in early April.

The 2005 NL Rookie of the Year and 2006 NL MVP is a career .258/.343/.515 hitter with 382 homers and 1,194 RBI. In his final season in Philly in 2016, he hit just .196/.257/.453 with 25 homers and 59 RBI in 112 games.

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