What many thought would never happen has, actually, happened. The Phillies and star first baseman Ryan Howard have agreed on a 3-year deal worth $54 million. The deal isn't the long term contract many had hoped that Howard would sign for, but it does ensure that the two sides will avoid contencious arbitration hearings for the next three off-seasons.
While the exact breakdown of the deal is unknown, it works out to $18 million a year, which is the figure that Howard had asked for during this off-season's contract negotiation. The Phillies had offered $14 million, so the deal certainly shows the team's desire to keep Howard here, and happy.
While Howard almost certainly could have made more money per year if he had stuck to his arbitration-every-year strategy than by signing this deal, the contract ensures that he will get paid a sizeable sum despite a slumping economy, and irregardless of injury or prolonged slumps. It also ensures that his popularity amongst the fanbase will not take anymore money-related hits for the next few years.
Many of the Phillies faithful sided with Howard the first time he was arbitration eligible when he had asked for $1 million and the Phillies countered with $900,000. Many felt that the Phillies should have just given him the extra $100,000 as a show of good faith after winning the National League MVP Award. The next season it was much the same story, as the fans supported Howard's request for a $10 million contract. But this past offseason the fans' loyalty switched to the organization, as it had become more and more evident that Howard was going to milk the team for as much as he could, and then, many thought, skip out of town when his current contract was up. Howard had asked for $18 million, the biggest arbitration contract request in history. The Phillies countered with $14 million, the third highest arbitration offer in history.
Now Howard, the Phillies (as far as Howard is concerned), and the fans can spend the next few offseasons focused on Spring Training and getting off to a strong April start.
"I'm happy to have this done and to know that I'll be in Philadelphia for at least another 3 years," he said in a statement. "Both sides are happy and now I'm just focused on getting the season started and having fun."
Let the fun begin.
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