Atlanta signed SS-S Rafael Furcal to a one-year, $5.6M contract last week. Although Furcal has yet to match the plate patience he demonstrated in his rookie season, he's moving closer to that mark and posting a solid walk rate. The 26-year-old's groundball tendencies have limited his power in the past, but his G-F has moved steadily down every year of his career and is now approaching a point where he could begin to display substantial power, particularly since the next few seasons should represent his physical prime. Meanwhile, he retains considerable speed skills. Furcal easily could experience a career year in 2005, leading into his first taste of free agency. We can only hope he will invest a portion of his wealth in a chauffeur's salary to prevent him from again endangering lives as a drunken driver.

The Braves signed OF-R Raul Mondesi to a one-year, $1M contract in mid-January. Mondesi reportedly has resolved the personal problems that interrupted his 2004 season. His skills appeared fully intact last season, so provided the 33-year-old remains healthy, Atlanta likely picked up a nice bargain in Mondesi.