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
Nice now neither party has to go though an acrimonious arbitration process.
I sure hope the Phils put some performance standards into whatever agreement they sign.
wow this is great
There is no way Obama is going to stand for this kind of salary. Watch out Howard!
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".
Good deal for the Phillies, and good deal for Howard.
that's nice.
Comment removed.
Hope that buys some infield practice
Is that A Rod money?
Now that have all of this contract stuff out of the way, Let's Play Ball!!!
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.
I'm somewhat shocked Howard agreed to this. Heck of a job by Rueben to get this done and avoid a yearly arbitration battle.
Phillies 2009 MVP: Bernie Madoff
Great news. Now, let's get down to business and win the NL East again!
Sweet! Even though it sounds like a lot of money...I think he has proven that he deserves it.
Give your money to Bernie to invest.
Glad to see the Phillies were able to get this done.
WOW! How can they justify this? A working class family will never be able to afford to attend any games. We'll just sit home and listen to the ganes on our radio. Since Cable prices too are so out ragious !!!
Perfect deal to trade him now for pitching
Barney Frank is going to nix this deal.
Can you say REPEAT?
Hmm, Howard's up-side arbitration demand times 3. Didn't the team own his rights for the next three years anyway? So, all this does is pay him his upside arb request for three years in a god awful economy. Win win?
aw geeeeeeeeesh, does he really need all that money? Look at the economy and how people are trying to make ends meet. I think a lot of these professional players need to stop being so greedy. Ryan is a good player, but like everybody else, someone has to draw the line on these HIGH salary. I work 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year and I only get a little bit of money to put food on the table and enough to get by until the next paycheck. I know the ticket prices will be getting worst and it will be us (ticketholders and fans) who will have to pay for most of the salary for these players.
This makes Howard a nice trade deadline option when the Phils look to get a real 1st baseman that can actually play defense and not strike out 200+ times a season. Now he actually has some value!
Yea it is 18 million a year, but he may have asked for 20 Mil next year then 23 the year after. Its a risk but it may save them 5-10Million over the next few years.
Comment removed.
I hope that President Obama will look into this matter of high salary also and demand something be done about it. Look how they have to cut down on NASA, Smithsonian Institute, etc and people won't be able to enjoy these things like we used to be able. If all the professional players gave some of their salary back, maybe they can help us people too. Beside half of these players are like A-ROD, getting juiced to be better players to get better salaries
Good deal for both sides. The deal averages 18 million per. Howard gave a little back and still gets his Free Agency in 3 years. He will not be here after that. Amaro has done a nice job getting these guys some deals and keeping them reasonable for the team. That being said, I think the window on this "group" is 2011. 3 more years to contend for another World Series title.
Comment removed.
Comment removed.
GREAT NEWS!
NL East, you mean World Series again! Everyone should be happy with this deal because he would've received more than $40mil in arbitration over the next 2 years leading up to his free agency year.
BAD NEWS!
Yes! I'm so excited for the season!
Well, he got his $18 mil. But at least he's locked into that until free agency. And no more raises with arbitration. Good move on both parts.
Watch, now that he got his money, he will either get hurt and be out for 4 to 6 months (like somebody else we know) or he will not play as good as he was last year.
Yeah, Bill, they put a bunch of performance standards into his contract. The guy has the BEST power numbers in all baseball over the past 3 years and should have won his 2nd MVP in 3 years. Oh yeah, and the Phils won the WS last year. Way to go Ryan, you deserve every penny you can pinch out of those cheapskates.
He is already in Florida where new coach Sam Perlozzo is helping him with his defense. The contract and his willingness to get better defensively are nothing but great news. I expect a great season from him now that his contract is settled for the time being.
Anyone who argues that Howard isn't worth the $ because he strikes out too much or is a defensive liability is a moron. All players have their shortcomings, but most can't compensate for them with 50+ homers and 120+ rbi. This guy is a stud, and he carried the team through Sept. and into the postseason. Typical Negadelphia reaction.
In three years $18 million a year will look like a bargain for Howard. He will only get better.
This is the deal that saved free agency. Howard would have won. He would ask for $26M next year. Think about an $8 raises until 2011. This is a great deal for both sides. There may be hope for Amaro, Jr yet. He has made all the right moves still short a Rigthanded power hitter and a lefty for the Pen.
Now Howard must work hard to gain the edge for 2011. Hard work cures all shortcomings.
Look at our soldiers over in Iraq, they aren't getting this kind of money and they are putting their lives in harm ways.
Grate!
If you don't like baseball salaries don't buy the tickets! The reason they make so much money is because they are worth that in entertainment value.
great news! Ryan Howard is far and away easily the best power hitter in the game today.
Good that makes sense. Now lets play some baseball. Nice to see a team after winning a World Series not in controversy nor split apart. Balance in Philly. The Eagles brass should note.
I can't believe the Phils would play a 1/2 to a 1/4 season play that much money.
I can't believe the Phils would play a 1/2 to a 1/4 season player that much money.
I think Howard will hit better this year. Charlie said during his slumps he had to relax and let the ball come to him. No better way to relax than get 54 mil guaranteed over the next 3!
You've got to be pleased w/ how well our new GM has handled his business so far. Great job Ruben!!!
He's going to have a bad year, watch and tell me in 6 months I was right.
It's too bad John McCain didn't win the election. Ryan would have gotten his tax cut from 33% to 25% while we add the difference to our children's debt.
He could conceivably buy an entire neighborhood in philly and have it demolished or just buy one of the small towns right outside of philly. While the ticket sales skyrocket and the price of everything MLB goes up, I wish him well in his mansion.
Nice. Nothing left to do but play the games, no one wants to read all the contract bs. Don't anyone think the Phils 'won' this one. That's a ton of money and Howard's family gets some serious security from having a multi-year in place. As though last year's 10 didn't, of course.
Arbitration = pure greed on the part of the player who wants it. If you can't live on $1,000,000+ per year, you've got a big problem.
Comment removed.
Comment removed.
Comment removed.
Comment removed.
More money for more juices.
To bad John McCain wasn't elected. Ryan would have gotten his tax cut from 33% to 25% and the difference added to the national debt.
Ryan needs a tax cut!
$18 million is more than fair for his RBIs and clutch hits. His poor fielding puts a cap on what he should make.
Ryan needs a republican tax cut so he can create jobs.
Ryan now pays too much in taxes.
That's $90,452.261 per whiff.
Jesus, the trolls are out today. "Tom" - get a life, go play with your kids or something.
Wow, that's $90,452,261.00 per whiff.
Comment removed.
Great job by the Phils upping the payroll 30 mil to keep this team together.
He should pay the Sunday Freedom of Speech Editor for working overtime today.
Ryan definately needs a tax cut.
What does it matter what he is making? We act like its OUR money. He is an elite talent and deserves to get paid like it. We should be talking about what a great job our GM is doing...avoiding arbitration with..I believe, ALL our players. INCREDIBLE! Good to see the Phils rewarding their players for a job well done. Where is everybody now saying we are cheap? Ryan Howard is gonna have a monster season. Period.
Awesome! Great news for both sides!
Tom = Moron
Phillies get cost containment for 3 years, Howard gets security. Howard may have lost money on arbitration in next 3 years, but it was a smart deal for both sides. Very impressed with Amaro so far.
I have to give the org a lot of credit...I think this is an EXCELLENT compromise and creates some goodwill.....handled like class org....check that....handled like championshiporg.
ILUVPHILLYCITYOFWINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Howard will earn $15 million this season, $19 million next year and $20 million in 2011, according to ESPN.
GOOD move for both party's. Shows the phil's are willing to pay the man and are willing to do it. And it also shows that Ryan isn't out to break the bank.
And another thing: Who the heck is
Bernie Madoff???
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The money is there, and someone has to get it. I'd rather it be the guys doing the work on the field instead of the ownership group.
Wow, the Phillies have become a great franchise.
I think that no matter what happens this year, philly.com needs to keep up the box score from game 5 for the whole season. That way even when things don't look good we have a nice reminder for us.
Sets the Phils up for a blockbuster trade in years 2 or 3. As Buddy Ryan would say, "all this guy does is hit homers". He can't field, is clumsy when he gets his glove on the ball and strikes out a ton. Maybe get a stud pitcher for him before he goes home to St. Louis. That all being sais, he was awesome in September, but kinda disappeared in the playoffs.
Thank God! Way to lock in the big man!
Howard actually plays better when the financial pressures are off, worse when coming off a contentious season. I would expect him to even out his production more. By the way, one of the reasons our soldiers defend us is for our capitalist system. If you want the govt. to regulate everyone's salary, you may find your own reduced. Then again, for you that may be appropriate.
$15 million this year, $19 million next year and $20 million next year,
are you saying that I am a moron because I feel this is way too much money? Whatever happen playing for the love of the game and not for money.
Where's all the Rube bashers? All he did was sign EVERYBODY!
Play Ball!!!...Great News...why do we have to pay so much attention to player salaries when what an owner makes is never in the paper?...Players mint money for the owners and should be lavishly compensated...World ******* Champions!!!
This is a fair deal and it gives the Phils cost certainty for the next three years. Howard does strike out a ton and he needs to improve his throwing, badly, but find another guy in baseball that drives in runs the way he can.
Comment removed.
how could you be shocked howard agreed to it? its 18 mil a year. exactly what he was asking for....................? too much for this non clutch hitting error machine
Tom, shut up. And everyone who says "how dare he ask for this much, blah blah, Chase Utley is getting paid more. You can argue it's over a longer period of time or that he's worth more, but regardless, more of your ticket money is going to Chase Utley than Ryan Howard. Period. So don't hold him to a double-standard.
First of all, who the heck are all of you people??? I don't know anyone here excpet for Norma and I'm on this blog, (Well what used to be this blog) for the past 2 years every day. The number of idiotic comments go to show that almost none of you are real, or even fake, fans. So do us all a favor, and go back to the rocks you crawled out of.
As for the deal: A brilliant move by the Phils management. Yes, he got his 18 million this year, but figure that bearing injury he would have gotten 22 next year and 25 the year after,the phils just saved arount 10 million to be used to keep the pitching staff up to [ar and bring in a free agent here and there if needed. Howard gets stability, and is still a FA on sheduale. Great move!!
Prince Ruben has had a GREAT offseason.
Hey D
I can say what I want on here. This is free speech and anybody can say what they want. I am not picking on Ryan, but to all the players who make too much money, including Chase. If Chase, Ryan or any other players didn't get close to what they wanted, they would be leaving the city of Philadelphia.
Looks like good deal for both sides. Hope the big guy's strikeouts decrease as salary increases.
Players always underperform after signing a contract but the good thing with Ryan is that he "underperformed" last year and still had great numbers. Keep on swingin slugga!
A player that play for the love of the game more than money, then he's my kind of baseball player. They should be happy with 1 or 2 millions dollars a year.
The present state of the economy had a lot to do with this getting done. When you look around and see how many good players are not signed yet you understand why Ryan and his family as well as his advisorers took this offer. Yes it is the 18 mil that Ryan had been seeking, but there is no reason after watching the #'s this man has put up every year to think his arbitration #'s wouldn't rise again and again. This gives both sides something and locks up the best slugger in the game today for 3 more years as a phillie. Congrats to both sides for getting this deal done. I predict at least another world series before this contract ends.
Comment removed.
Smart move. If Howard got $18M this year he would want more in each of the next two years. They gave him the $18M he wanted, but locked him in for two more 18s. The Phils probably see this as $16M the first year, $18M the second year and $20M the third year. And that's it. I have been saying all along that we are watching Ryan Howard, a future Sox or Yankee. Moneywise he wants to make up for all the years that Ed Wade kept him down in the minors.
I've been a non believer when it comes to the Giles-Montgomery management but it sure seems like they have changed their approach. They might have spent a little less or a little more on Howard over the next 3 years without a deal but they've locked him up with no bad feelings for a number he might have made anyway. Plus 3 years means he can't get complacent like he might with a lot longer contract.
Quite impressive- nice job Ruben~
Well this certainly came out of nowhere. This organization is certainly riding high after winning it all and who could be surprised by that? This deal could be an absolute steal if Ryan continues to perform at the same level he has in the previous three years. I like that it gives him financial security and I hope that helps him relax because when he isn't hitting he looks completely lost and begins to press. All in all, a nice deal for both sides with the chance of being weighted heavily in the club's favor if they get the beast who has been playing from 2006-08. Ruben has certainly surprised me this offseason. Good job on his part.
i could knock in 140 runs a year hitting behind rollins, victorino, and utley. Howard strikes out WAY too much...hits too low for average...and is a poor fielder. i would have traded him for a .280, 30 HR guy who can field and strikes out half as much. BAD MOVE.
seems like a nice guy though...friends of mine had beers with him after a game at wrigley last year. was great...sat for pix with everyone.
Yes it a good thing , for baseball money , not in real life.Now let get Coles locked in ,, dont wait.
performance standards? lead the league in RBIs and HRs, three straight years only in Philly is that not considered a standard. thanks Bill.
with the Phillies luck, now that they have him locked up for the rest of his "prime" years..........he'll blow out his knee
It's good to see that people still harp on the whole strikeout thing. It shows a very poor knowledge of the game. Very poor. Is it maddening to watch him strike out a lot? Sure, sometimes it is. But the man is a power hitting cleanup hitter. It is going to happen. In the end, his #'s speak for themself. Continue being a dope and getting your panties in a bunch about his K's while completly ignoring the fact that he has been arguable the best run producer in the game for the last 3 years. His fielding is something you can get on him about and it wouldn't make you look like a fool.
A welcome change to Joe Banner & the Eagles!
Great news, I would hve prefered more years since Howard was going to be a free agant after 2011 anyway -
but at least we don't have to go through the unseemly arbitration process every year-
Now I feel good about buying some tickets :)
Play Ball !
This is great. I really believe in three years Howard will be on the decline. He tends to be a little overweight and we've seen time and time again that these huge dudes flame out in their early to mid-30's. Think about Cecil Fielder, Mo Vaughn, Albert Belle,David Ortiz and others. Unless they are using 'roids, their bodies break down, they put more strain on their knees, hips and backs. Howard will not be the same hitter at age 32 or 33 he his now--i guarantee it. After 3 years, they can let him go. That's long enough to keep him for the remainder of his prime. At 33, 34--he won't be worth it at all.
Gee, I wonder who's comments have been removed?!
Truth....Where are you, buddy???? Doing cartwheels?!
Jeff, for some reason this website is changing our original usernames to our real names. At least it happened to me -El Zorro.
5 days, 18 hours, and 9 minutes til Spring Training! WAHOO!
Now Howard has to earn it. I'm slightly concerned about this, just because Howard's fielding is still atrocious (can't field a grounder or make a throw) and he still strikes with ungodly frequency. Not a bad deal, but more money than I would have preferred.
Comment removed.
Dan, are you nuts. This is a bargain. This guy has won two awards and was robbed of his third this year, and is a WS winner. He is only making $15 millions this year while Andruw Jones, Torri Hunter, Vernon Wells, Barry Zito and Miguel Cabrera are making more.
Amaro is a clown. Three years and he is gone. Why not lock him up for 6 or 7 years at 18-19 mil per? This three year contract nonsense will kill this club. Hamels gone after three, Howard gone after three. Im sure the Yankees have already started making plans to sign both of them. Lets get rid of Amaro now while we still have at least a chance. Boo.
Amaro is a clown. Three years and he is gone. Why not lock him up for 6 or 7 years at 18-19 mil per? This three year contract nonsense will kill this club. Hamels gone after three, Howard gone after three. Im sure the Yankees have already started making plans to sign both of them. Lets get rid of Amaro now while we still have at least a chance. Boo.
I'm guessing his .250 batting average had something to do with why he was "robbed." Look, I like having him, but listing other overpaid athletes is no way to argue for him being overpaid, too.
Its a great deal from the offensive perspective, Defensively not so much!!! It's not A-Rod $$$ either!!!!
So then Jeff, just who the heck are you then? What is it that makes those lame comments of yours any better than anyone else's posts here? If you aren't recognizing names, it's because this wonderful web site isn't posting screen names today. And you could probably write a column for them given how good you are with the totally obvious stuff. Brilliant analysis.
It's all been said before me. Now it's time to play ball! Nice to be the World Champions isn't it, with a solid, star studded lineup, four guys in the rotation, and four more fighting tooth and nail for one job. What a difference from this time last year.
"Whatever happen playing for the love of the game and not for money"? If you play in a rec league you play for the love of the game. You play professional sports, you play for the money.
Well in spite of all the worry over Rubins ability to handle the business end of the GM job he has done remarkably well. Signing Howard was exactly what needed to be done. With the added incentive clauses it should be interesting to see how Ryan performs over the next 3 years. I think having Ibanez bat following him will cause some problems for the National league as we go through the schedule and depending on where Charlie places Utley the top 6 batters could be something to tell your children about. If Ryan has a good year at the plate you can bet on the Phils walking away with the NL East. This team has that rare combination of players and talent that is reminiscent of the Yankees of the late 90's where they won back to back World Championships. Although it is rare to repeat I think we have a strong chance to do it.
Comment removed.
Great news. Amaro is doing a great job so far.
Super news.
Only question that remains is why ZO is still listed under Ask the Writers .
Do we need to take this issue to arbitation ?
*sigh* From the looks of these comments, this is the official end of The Zo Zone. Does anyone know when Todd's blog will be up on mlb.com?
This blog is dead. Who are all these people? Anyhow its a shame Ryan had to sign this contract when obviously he is worth 20 million per. Due to the situationits not a bad deal and he will still get his 5/100 in another three yrs so he is still going to do a qtr billion once you factor in endorsements and bonuses over the life of his career.
Truth..."its a shame Ryan had to sign this contract when obviously he is worth 20 million per". Obviously, neither he, his family or his agent thought to ask for that amount.
Jimmymacl glad to hear your still kicking. Obviously he, his family and agent decided it was best to accept the guaranteed money invest it wisely over the next few years make plenty of interest and that way the 54 million is really 80 million... He decided it weas best to accept this low bal offer. and have peace and serenity.
Now that Howard is signed, look for him to be traded even-up for Pujols. It makes sense for both teams. The Cards are right hand bat heavy, and the Phils are left hand heavy. Plus Howard will get to play in his home town. Not that I want to see this happen. I love Howard.
136 comments | View All By Latest | Paginate Comments
About Andy Martino
PHILLIES SCOREBOARD
Philly.com Promotions
- News | Sports | Business | What's Happening | Restaurants & Food | Entertainment | Living | Marketplace | Jobs
Site Services:
Classifieds:
- Jobs | Cars | Real Estate | Rentals | Marketplace | Celebrations
Partners:
