Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
January 20, 2009
Just Wow

Ryan Howard is asking for quite a raise:

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.

Philadelphia offered $14 million to the 2006 NL MVP, a raise of $4 million. Howard hit 48 homers and had 146 RBIs last year, helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980.

That's quite a request after a 60 point drop in OBA. The Phillies are willing to give him a $4 million raise after a down year. Imagine what he'd be getting if he played better than in 2007!

Prince Fielder, with a better year batting, is only asking for $8 million. Prince needs to dream a little bigger.

With such a large difference between Howard's figure and the Phillies, my guess is that it goes to a hearing again. Unlike last year, the Phillies have a good case for the lower number. They're offering Howard Albert Pujols numbers for less production, both at the bat and in the field than Pujols.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:14 PM | Transactions | TrackBack (0)
Comments

The Phillies might be thinking that Howard did play better, since his HR's (+1), RBI's (+10), Runs (+11), Triples (+4), and TB's (+21) increased while his K's stayed the same. Of course, one quick look at the fact he had 55 more plate appearances than in '07 explains why his totals were slightly higher. I'm with you, the huge decrease in OBP would scare me if I were a GM....especially from someone in their peak years. His walks fell 26 short of last year, despite having 55 more PA's. I'd trade him to a desperate AL team looking for a DH or 1B, like mmmm... the Royals. Dayton Moore loves low OBP power hitting types who play 1B!

Posted by: Devon Young at January 20, 2009 11:34 PM

And what would you get in return? trading Howard is a nice thought. except that he's under team control and they only have to sign him one year at a time, and the phillies have absolutely no other option at first base.

Just trade him?

Posted by: GJ at January 21, 2009 11:04 AM

Pretty tough to see what KC or other teams would offer that Phillies would need for Howard. Greinke? and Meche?

Posted by: bandit at January 21, 2009 02:30 PM
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