Generally speaking, major league baseball controls the financial aspects of the annual Rule 4 draft – almost down to the penny. All teams, the Atlanta Braves included, adhere to the guidelines for slot values and pool monies available to spend because… well, it’s because they have to.
The penalties for non-compliance are definitely a deterrent to bucking any trends: a relatively minor tax for exceeding bonus pool allotments within 5% is one thing; going nuts and spending up to another 5% costs you next year’s 1st round draft pick.
Nobody even wants to think seriously about doing that… never mind the additionally draconian penalties for going even higher with their spending.