Tal Smith lost his last salary arbitration case to Ryan Howard. Smith may get another shot at Howard next month.

There remains a chance the Phillies and Ryan Howard agree on a new contract before they hit the salary arbitration table next month.

But it seems more likely the Phillies will be arguing why Howard deserves only $14 million, while Howard will be arguing why he's worth $18 million. Why do I think they'll end up back at the arbitration table? Well, they're $4 million apart. That's quite a gap. And if Howard is asking for $18 million, he must feel pretty confident he can win $18 million from the arbiter. He had that confidence last year when he asked for $10 million. In other words, Howard isn't afraid to battle the Phillies. He isn't afraid to lose. He's willing to stick with what he believes he deserves. I don't think that changes. And his case doesn't seem to have gotten any weaker knowing he led the majors last season in home runs and RBIs.  But do the Phillies have a better chance this time? You would think they learned from last year's loss, so maybe they feel they have a stronger case with their $14 million offer.

Jim Salisbury takes an interesting look at the man who is going to be arguing the case for the Phillies: Tal Smith.

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Frank Fitzpatrick wrote about travelling to Clearwater for spring training in Sunday's Travel section. He mentions some tips for autograph seekers. I have a few tips for autograph seekers, too:

• Try early mornings before workouts and afternoons after workouts or games outside the players' parking lot at Bright House Networks Field. Of course, you'll have to compete with the professional "fans" who are there every day, getting memorabilia to sign to sell on ebay. These professional autograph seekers ruin it for everybody because players see the same people there every day. It makes them less inlined to sign. (You can always tell the fans from the pros because fans want a glove or ball or hat signed. Pros show up with three or four binders full of cards, six or seven bats, etc.)
• Down the left-field line at Bright House is a good spot.
• Don't yell, "Sign for my kid! Come on, it's my kid's birthday!" Players hear that constantly. Kenny Lofton once congratulated a fan for telling him that it was his birthday. It was kind of rude, but like Chris Rock once said, I understand.
• Be respectful of their time. When they're taking BP or doing drills, they can't sign. When they can't get to you, don't get nasty.
• In other words, don't be rude. Seems simple enough.

Adam Eaton's chances to make the team out of spring training?

Slim to none.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke candidly today at Citizens Bank Park about the competition for the fifth spot in the team's rotation.

"It's a four-man competition," Amaro said. "[Eaton] isn't involved in it. We just feel the other four would have a better opportunity to help us."

The other four are Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco and Chan Ho Park. Eaton is 14-18 with a 6.09 ERA in two seasons with the Phillies.

I think most people had seen this coming months ago. Eaton not only pitched terribly last season, he pitched even worse in the minor leagues. To explain his poor performance in the minor leagues (0-5 with a 7.02 ERA in seven starts in single-A Lakewood, double-A Reading and triple-A Lehigh Valley), Eaton explained in September that he wasn't asked to go out, pitch well and win games in the minor leagues. But it's clear the Phillies didn't buy that explanation or care much for his performance. During the NLDS, the Phillies sent pitchers to Florida to stay sharp in case of injury, then invited those pitchers back for the NLCS and World Series to watch the games from the dugout. Eaton declined to pitch in Florida and went home.

Eaton will make $8.5 million this season, plus a $500,000 buyout on a club option for 2010. That contract makes him nearly impossible to trade. The Phillies tried to give him away during the winter meetings, eating all but $1 million of his salary, but found no takers.

If he can't be traded, Eaton could be released before the season starts.

Regardless, it's safe to say he's one of the biggest busts in Phillies history.

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Amaro has contacted free agent Ty Wigginton about a bench job. Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Rich Aurilia, Mark Grudzielanek and Kevin Millar also interest the Phils.

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Chase Utley said that being ready for opening day remains a realistic goal.

Jim Salisbury reports that the Phillies have some interest in Moises Alou, but a deal doesn't sound imminent.

The Phillies continue to look for a righthanded bat off their bench. They are interested in Nomar Garciaparra, but he's not sure if he wants to continue his baseball career. Alou would make sense, but Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged that Alou might be looking for a little more playing time than the Phillies can provide. If the recent past is any indication, this righthanded bat is going to be somebody we see only in pinch-hitting situations. Charlie Manuel likes to play his regulars as often as possible, which means little playing time for his reserves.

The Phillies also are considering free agents Mark Grudzielanek and Rich Aurilia for the reserve role. Team officials also have spoken with the representatives for free agent Kevin Millar.

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Jayson Werth, on his two-year, $10 million contract extension: "The way I looked at it, I wanted to stay here with these [teammates] and win two more championships. I really like the guys here and I really like the organization. I signed here [before the 2007 season] because I wanted to win. I could have signed with Oakland or Washington or San Diego and played more, but I came here to win and I'm staying to win."

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Amaro said Carlos Ruiz might skip the World Baseball Classic to be with the Phillies this spring.

Ryan Howard is the only Phillie eligible for arbitration who remains unsigned. The first baseman is seeking $18 million.

The Phillies are headed toward a franchise record opening day payroll, which could be more than $132 million if Ryan Howard wins his case in salary arbitration. That's following word yesterday that Jayson Werth and Chad Durbin agreed to new contracts.

Phil Sheridan asks why we should care how much Howard makes in arbitration (or how much any athlete makes for that matter)?

PITCHERS
Joe Blanton ($5.475 million), Clay Condrey ($650,000), Chad Durbin ($1.635 million), Adam Eaton ($8.5 million, plus a $500,000 buyout), Scott Eyre ($2 million), Cole Hamels ($4.35 million), Brad Lidge ($11.5 million), Ryan Madson ($3 million), Jamie Moyer ($6.5 million), Brett Myers ($12 million), Chan Ho Park ($2.5 million), J.C. Romero ($4 million, minus $1.25 million for his 50-game suspension ).

INFIELDERS
Eric Bruntlett ($800,000), Greg Dobbs ($1.15 million), Pedro Feliz ($5 million), Jimmy Rollins ($7.5 million, plus a $1 million signing bonus), Chase Utley ($11 million, plus a $250,000 signing bonus).

OUTFIELDERS
Raul Ibanez ($6.5 million), Geoff Jenkins ($6.75 million, plus a $1.25 million buyout), Matt Stairs ($1 million), Shane Victorino ($3.125 million), Jayson Werth ($3 million).

OTHER
Jim Thome ($3 million).

Total committed so far: $112.685 million.

J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste and Ronny Paulino could make a combined $2 million.

Ryan Howard will make $18 million or $14 million.

Estimated payroll if Howard wins salary arbitration: $132.685 million.

And then there was one.

The Inquirer has learned that the Phillies have reached an agreement with righthander Chad Durbin on a one-year, $1.635 million contract. This follows the news that rightfielder Jayson Werth has agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies.

That leaves Ryan Howard as the only Phillies player still eligible for salary arbitration. Howard is seeking $18 million in arbitration. The Phillies are offering $14 million. It seems more likely than not that Howard and the Phillies return to the arbitration table.

The Phillies have reached a two-year contract extension with rightfielder Jayson Werth, a source told The Inquirer.

A second source confirmed the deal is for $10 million. Werth will receive $2 million in 2009, plus a $1 million signing bonus, and $7 million in 2010. The Phillies aren't expected to announce the deal until later this week after Werth takes his physical. Werth hit .273 with 24 home runs and 67 RBIs as he played his way into an everyday role in right field. This leaves Ryan Howard and Chad Durbin as the team's only remaining salary arbitration eligible players.

Jim Salisbury writes about the $18 million Howard is seeking in arbitration. 

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The Phillies continue to look at Nomar Garciaparra to help their bench.

Inquirer staff writer Jim Salisbury reports:

The Phillies and righthanded reliever Ryan Madson have reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, The Inquirer learned today. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, is believed to be for $12 million, with incentives.

Madson, 28, was 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 76 games in 2008.

Madson had been eligible for salary arbitration. The Phils have five salary arbitration-eligible players remaining: Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Chad Durbin and Joe Blanton.

Potential salary figures will be exchanged tomorrow.

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In other news, despite his 50-game suspension to start the 2009 season, J.C. Romero is eligible to compete for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Provisional rosters for the WBC will be announced at 7 tonight.

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MLB announced its rosters for the World Baseball Classic. Phillies on rosters include:

Australia: righthander Drew Naylor, catcher Joel Naughton and infielder Brad Harman.
Canada: outfielder Matt Stairs.
Dominican Republic: catcher Ronny Paulino.
Italy: outfielder Michael Spidale.
Mexico: infielder Oscar Robles.
Netherleands: righthander Mike Bolsenbroek.
Panama: catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Puerto Rico: lefthander J.C. Romero.
USA: shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino.
Venezuela: righthander Carlos Carrasco.

Cole Hamels hugs wife Heidi after yesterday's news conference.

It's difficult to think about baseball today after a tough Eagles loss, but we move on ...

... Cole Hamels met with reporters before kickoff yesterday to discuss his three-year, $20.5 million contract extension. Good deal for both sides. Hamels gets financial security. He also keeps his final year of salary arbitration and free agency following the 2012 season. The Phillies get cost certainty the next couple off-seasons. That's big because they'll have a clearer picture of how much they can spend in the near future.

...Ryan Madson could be next. Sources indicate the Phillies and Madson continue to talk about an extension and a deal could happen soon.

... Just because the Phillies reached an agreement with Hamels doesn't mean Ryan Howard is next. Howard is looking for serious money. There was talk last year at this time that Howard was looking for A-Rod money. And I'm sure after leading the majors in home runs and RBIs in 2008 that his asking price hasn't fallen. But because Howard can't become a free agent until after 2011, the Phillies have time to make a deal. There's no rush. Something that's interesting about Howard's case is that Mark Teixeira just signed an eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees and Kevin Youkilis just signed a four-year, $41.125 million contract with the Red Sox. For the moment, that takes two of the highest spending teams in baseball off the market for a first baseman. Of course, that can change. And there are other teams out there who would love to have Howard's bat in the middle of their lineup.