Ten reasons the Phillies should just pay Ryan Howard $18 million

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Heading into arbitration, Ryan Howard seeks $18 million from the Phillies, who want to pay him $4 million less for the 2009 season.

Howard, whose request is the third-richest in arbitration history after Roger Clemens ($22 million) in 2005 and Derek Jeter ($18.5 million) in '01, obviously comes out wealthier no matter which way his hearing goes.

Both parties should, however, avoid the actual arbitration hearing, where the team's attorney says all kinds of nasty things about the player in order to deflate his value, causing a star's ego to absorb hurtful and unnecessary shots.

Players fight back, of course, and Howard probably would as well. Below are 10 possible reasons the World Series champs don't have much real leverage with the onetime NL Rookie of the Year and MVP, and should just cut him a check now:

* * *

Ten reasons the Phillies should just pay Ryan Howard $18 million

10. It's not like money has been a problem ever since GM Ruben Amaro correctly guessed the pin number of team chairman Bill Giles.

9. Phils management must avoid a sure-to-be-ugly trial of public opinion, where Howard's agent Casey Close will surely make good on his threat to publish compromising photos of Charlie Manuel and the Phanatic.

8. John Kruk's promise to un-retire and challenge Howard for his job in spring training seems far-fetched.

7. Yeah, $18 million would be nearly twice what Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is slated to make this year, but at least Howard knows there will be extra innings if the score is tied after nine.

6. If everyone just pretends Adam Eaton got sucked out of the team plane, it's like Howard only costs $9.5 million.

5. The Phillies offer seems generous but in today's weak economy, $14 million just doesn't go as far as it used to.

4. The organization's top prospect at first base is little Jordan Michaels of Palm Beach County, Fla. He plays for the Okeeheelee Youth Baseball T-ball champions and won't be major-league ready until at least 2024.

3. For heaven's sake, just do it for Jamie Moyer while there's still time.

2. Howard's Subway commercial endorsement deal is lucrative enough — free footlongs are nice — but being legally bound to chauffeur Jared to the movies three times a week really cuts into BP time.

1. Because he's a world [bleeping] champion, that's why.*

*Submitted by Chase Utley

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23 Comments

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1 - 23 of 23

1. Posted by Vegas Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:26 pm EDT
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Owners best recognize there gonna a riot on Broad Street if they screw Howard over.
Pay the man. We got one more run at the WS in us.
- Philly fan.
2. Posted by tito (eight and oh) Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT
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Jared looks like he put on a few.
I'm thinking Quizno's.
3. Posted by SteveS Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:09 pm EDT
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I'm not sure how "only" paying Ryan Howard $14 million instead of $18 million constitutes as "screwing Howard over", the man isn't going to go hungry anytime soon. He's a perennial MVP candidate and possibly the world's best power hitter, but he also strikes out at a record pace and his fielding is among the worst in the league. I think $14 million will be just fine, but we'll see what the arbitrator decides.
4. Posted by saucy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT
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they'll find some middle groud... but i'm thinking it will be closer to the phillies figure if it goes to a hearing...
5. Posted by Dustin B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT
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how can you say just give him 18 million. he only bats 250 average. ok he hit a lot of home runs but he strikes out just as much. i say give him 15 million and if he only bats in the 260 average again then its time to start thinking bout letting another team over pay him.
6. Posted by raven Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT
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I agree with silver...I really dont see a 4 million dollar improvement over last year. But he is worth 14 million if he would sign long term maybe 4 years 65 million14,15,17,19 I think thats fair
7. Posted by jeffutlaw Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT
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Agreed silver and raven. 18 Million is a lot. Howard is a heckuva power hitter and is very productive, but when we're talking that kind of cash, I think you have to factor in all around ballplaying, including defense and ability to put the bat on the ball.
8. Posted by jeffutlaw Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT
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agreed silver and raven. 18 million is a lot. howard is a heckuva power hitter and is very productive, but when we're talking that kind of cash, i think you have to factor in all around ballplaying, including defense and ability to put the bat on the ball.
9. Posted by jeffutlaw Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT
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I must have really agreed......
10. Posted by Eric Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT
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Funny that no one mentions that Howard was hitting just .220 at the end of August and had to go on a tear to finish with a mere .248 average. Phillies shouldn't budge from the $14 million they offered. Plus his defense is well below that of an Albert Pujols or Derek Lee. With most Americans struggling to pay their monthly bills, I am sick and tired of hearing of this crap. Let abritration work and lets see what this guy is really worth on the open market in a few years.
11. Posted by mikez34 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT
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Philly fans will riot no matter what happens, so screw away.
12. Posted by Rick Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT
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Albert Pujols should be making more than Ryan Howard. Pujols hits around .350, 30-40 homeruns and barely strikes out at all. And he's a gold glove caliber first baseman. Howard hits more homeruns but hit almost .100 less last year and is averaging 200 Ks a year. He sucks something awful in the field.
Pujols doesn't make $18 million a year. Therefore, Howard shouldn't make $18 million a year.
13. Posted by Breeze Bruin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT
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For the last three years Howard has averaged 51 homers, 144 RBIs, 101 runs, is a career .279 hitter, and has a .380 OBP. Plus a World Series ring. Give him the money. Screw Pujols. Let him negotiate his own deal.
14. Posted by Jerry S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT
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Try being a Dodger fan like me and wish you had Howard!!! Pay the man $16.5mil and call it done. Congrats Phils. Hoping to get Manny back and come at ya again.
15. Posted by Gman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT
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Kruk has a good shot!!!!! and he'll do it for a couple cases of beer!!!!
16. Posted by Travis Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:04 pm EDT
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Very good point ricker2005. Pujols is a hitting machine who can play 1st. He is certainly worth 18 million but Howard is not. Prince Fielder who is a respectable 1st baseman is asking 8 million which is about right. The Phils are going to get stuck with this guy !!!!!
17. Posted by PETE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT
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what is the world coming too, 18 Million for a guy that is mediocre in the field and strikes out 200 times a year, Hmmm, Howard had been in the league what four years now, lets look at the numbers he has 5 times as many Strikeouts as homers, over a hundred more than hits, two hundred more than RBI double the amount of runs he avg's more than one per game, My team recently got rid of a similar player his name was Jason Giambi, but Jason at least at one time consistently hit over 300, Howard OBP is 380, Giambi was generally pushing the for league lead,. Howard wants what Jeter asked for in Arbritration , different howard isn't worth it he's barely worth 14
18. Posted by dragon43078 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT
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Pay him whatever he wants. I do not go to the stadium anymore and I do not by anything with team logos on it. I am not going to help give some one playing a GAME 100,000 let alone 18 million. You people are fu*king morons to pay anyone that kind of money. They are lucky to have a job where they travel for free and get paid to play. Should our children get paid every day because they play games to. Stupid idiots.
19. Posted by Breeze Bruin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT
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None of the players are worth the money. Not A-Rod, not Tex, not CC. Not one of them. But until MLB stops making obscene money they will pay the players what the market will bear. The Phillies just won the World Series and Ryan Howard carried them to the play-offs. If he continuss to average 51HRs, 144RBIs and 101 runs he's going to get his money, if not from the Phillies then from some other team.If he were to replace Giambi at yankee stadium his numbers would be off the charts. The Steinbrenners would have signed him in a New York minute, givin the chance. It's part of baseball. Don't like it, don't watch.
20. Posted by mthomas283 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT
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Bottom line - Howard is a MONSTER. Sure, he strikes out a lot and only hit .251, but those numbers aren't the end of the story. Strikeouts aren't necessarily the worst possible outcome, but you know what the best possible outcome is? A HR... and Howard hits lots of them. I know with K's there's the argument that he needs to move runners over, but even just using simple stats like BA, Howard hit .309 with Runners On, .320 with RISP, and .322 w/RISP & 2 outs... And he OPS'ed 1.044, 1.028, and 1.020 in those categories respectively. Those numbers are pretty freaking sick...
I also don't quite understand why we need to compare him to Pujols, who is most probably the best hitter in baseball. Pujols has his contract, he signed it in a different market and he's playing for the Cards so I'm pretty sure the Phils aren't getting Ol' Albert. The good news for Philly fans though is that we have Howard, one of the best power hitters in baseball, so they need to address how to keep him around.
Arbitration is an either-or deal, so the (WFC!!!!) Phils will either pay $14mil for a possibly insulted Ryan Howard, or $18mil for a happier Howard who they say they are trying to lock up long-term (eligible for FA after 2011). The question really is: Is it worth $4mil to keep Howard happy and perhaps grease the wheels for a longer-term deal? In my opinion, it's 100%, without a doubt worth it. In fact, there are MUCH worse ways to spend $4mil... (see Eaton, Adam - $9.5mil in 09).
21. Posted by Breeze Bruin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT
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Manny Ramirez is the best hitter in baseball.
22. Posted by iggles Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:37 pm EDT
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Pay the big fella already, dammit. He more than proved his worth. No. 20 is right on point:
"Howard hit .309 with Runners On, .320 with RISP, and .322 w/RISP & 2 outs... And he OPS'ed 1.044, 1.028, and 1.020 in those categories respectively. Those numbers are pretty freaking sick..." A-freakin' -men.
No Howard, no playoffs, no World Series. Pretty simple folks. Don't listen to the Fantasy Basball geeks. Clutch players get you to the playoffs and help you win. Tell me Philly fans, would you rather have A-Rod -- the world's biggest choke, or Howard, who will lead your team to tjue promised land? I know my answer to that.
PAY THE MAN and quick f-ing around. He's worth it. We wouldn't be having this discussion if he was rightfully awarded the MVP. People who wax their carrots over stats voted for Albert, who at last look, was home during the playoffs. He' s a great player, but not the 2008 MVP. Pujols? Pullllese!
23. Posted by Carol B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT
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I would really like to see Jeter as the Bachelor on the tv program! Then, I could see him at least once a week!
What a hottie.