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Sunday, February 8, 2009
Phillies agree to $54 million deal with Howard

What do you think of the Ryan Howard deal?
This is great news!
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I can't believe the Phils agreed to this.
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From Jim Salisbury, Inquirer staff writer:

 

The Phillies today agreed on a three-year, $54 million contract with slugger Ryan Howard, a source close to the situation told The Inquirer. 

 

Howard, who led the majors in homers and RBIs the last three seasons, had been scheduled to have a salary arbitration hearing late this week. The hearing will no longer be needed. 

 

“I’m happy to have this done and to know that I’ll be in Philadelphia for at least another three years,” said Howard in a statement. “Both sides are happy and now I’m just focused on getting the season started and having fun.”

 

Howard had sought $18 million in arbitration, while the Phils offered $14 million. The average annual value of his new deal is $18 million.

 

“We’re very pleased to have avoided the arbitration process, not just for this year, but also for the next two,” said Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. “Ryan is clearly one of the top power hitters and run producers in the major leagues and is a very important part of our championship club.”

 

Howard, 29, is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.
 

Posted by Jim Salisbury @ 11:58 AM  Permalink | 136 comments
Comments   
Posted 12:05 PM, 02/08/2009
hillbillybirdsfan
Nice now neither party has to go though an acrimonious arbitration process.
Posted 12:07 PM, 02/08/2009
wlkelly
I sure hope the Phils put some performance standards into whatever agreement they sign.
Posted 12:08 PM, 02/08/2009
wearethechampions
wow this is great
Posted 12:10 PM, 02/08/2009
wlkelly
There is no way Obama is going to stand for this kind of salary. Watch out Howard!
Posted 12:10 PM, 02/08/2009
ATL WILL
Great news, He deserves the deal and it will cement an already great team for the next few years. I expect Howard to have a "break out year".
Posted 12:10 PM, 02/08/2009
Gmilst1
Good deal for the Phillies, and good deal for Howard.
Posted 12:11 PM, 02/08/2009
jearnha
that's nice.
Comment removed.
Posted 12:15 PM, 02/08/2009
ChekUrFax
Hope that buys some infield practice
Posted 12:16 PM, 02/08/2009
Muck the Fets
Is that A Rod money?
Posted 12:17 PM, 02/08/2009
rcfoot
Now that have all of this contract stuff out of the way, Let's Play Ball!!!
Posted 12:18 PM, 02/08/2009
ConservativePatriot22
this is good for the phillies because now howard can lead the league in homeruns and rbi's this year and the phillies avoid paying him 20 + million that he would be awarded in next years arbitration hearing.
Posted 12:18 PM, 02/08/2009
fiveforone
I'm somewhat shocked Howard agreed to this. Heck of a job by Rueben to get this done and avoid a yearly arbitration battle.
Posted 12:20 PM, 02/08/2009
Muck the Fets
Phillies 2009 MVP: Bernie Madoff
Posted 12:20 PM, 02/08/2009
4 for 4 Guy
Great news. Now, let's get down to business and win the NL East again!
136 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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