The people who have a problem with this obviously haven't accepted that the team is rebuilding, won't compete this year or next and has a target set for "hopefully" being good in 2017. It's not like the Braves are going to be running any of these guys out there in the 8th inning of a 2-1 game with the Division on the line.
If the Braves can find some use out of 1-2 of these guys and: 1. Save service time for a real prospect who actually may have a future with the Braves 2. Could possibly be traded for something useful - prospects, international bonus money, cash, anything then it's been good money well spent.
It's not desperation when you accept that the goal is 2017 and not 2015. It's calculated.
My only complaint is that they haven't made enough similar moves with hitters. I would have liked to see Corey Hart get a shot in LF. Is he done? Maybe. Maybe even probably. But, what if he came in and hit .280 with 10 HR before the All-Star break playing on an incentive driven contract. Do you think that would actually be worth something?
Think about this: In the next few weeks some team is going to pay close to $80M (40 in bonus and contract and another 40 penalty) to sign a Cuban infielder who has never had an at bat in professional baseball. Teams are paying based on potential. The Braves have signed a bunch of guys who actually have had some success as professionals, but at very low cost, based on the potential that they might get one who returns to form.