Phillies start off 2008 with a loss...

[BlueHen86]

Ryan Howard won his abitration with the Phillies and will receive $10 million this year instead of the $7 million the Phillies were offering.

The Phillies are the first MLB team to lose an arbitration hearing this year. MLB teams had been 5-0 prior to this.

This is also the first time the Phillies have lost an arbitration hearing, they are now 7-1.

Good for Ryan Howard, the Phillies should have given him what he wanted in the first place.

[UNHWildCats]

i didnt think he would do it... wow

[BlueHen86]

i didnt think he would do it... wow
Yeah, that is the most money any player has ever won in arbitration.

[whitey]

I actually thought Howard would win cause I think the Phillies kind of low-balled him. If they had offered maybe even $8 million I think they would have won. Anyway...It might be a "loss", but maybe this is better for them in the long run. No sense in alienating one of your big 3 through the arbitration process.

I wonder if the Phillies are going to follow a recent trend (Sizemore, Reyes, Wright, Cano, Brandon Phillips, etc.) and work out a long term deal (say 5 or 6 years) with Howard during the season to buy up his remaining arbitration years plus a couple of his early FA years. It would definitely be in their best interests, the guy is 28 and should remain in his prime for the length of that contract...

[bluehenbillk]

Good news, Howard deserved it.

[Ivytalk]

That works out to about $50,251.26 for each of his 199 Ks last year.xcoolx

Dave Montgomery was last seen walking toward the summit of the Betsy Ross Bridge.

[BlueHen86]

I'm glad for Howard, but this is not good news for Phillies fans. The organization is budget conscious and this is $3 million that they won't be spending other players. This lessens the likelyhood that the Phils will pull off a mid season trade, unless it is to dump salary.

If I understand the process correctly, the Phillies and Howard could end up in arbitration each of the next four years.

[Touchdown Yosef]

it never should have come to that. The kid is the face of the franchise and a great one at that.

[BlueHen86]

it never should have come to that. The kid is the face of the franchise and a great one at that.
I agree, but the Phillies are about as budget conscious as it gets. Howard isn't a free agent for another 4 years, so the Phillies can low ball him during that time if they chose.

There is also some bad blood. A few years ago Thome got hurt and the Phillies waited a few weeks before bringing up Howard from the minors. Those few weeks cost Howard an entire year in the free agency cycle. Otherwise, Howard could have gone to arbitration last year and only be 3 years away from free agency.

Some owners want to win at all cost, the Phillies want to make money at all cost.

[Marcus Garvey]

Some owners want to win at all cost, the Phillies want to make money at all cost.

It's a Philly tradition. Look at the Eagles under Lurie/Reid. They refuse to pay for the one or 2 players who could get them over the hump. It's no coincidence either that Connie Mack ended both his dynasties with fire sales.

[gmoney55]

I agree, but the Phillies are about as budget conscious as it gets. Howard isn't a free agent for another 4 years, so the Phillies can low ball him during that time if they chose.

There is also some bad blood. A few years ago Thome got hurt and the Phillies waited a few weeks before bringing up Howard from the minors. Those few weeks cost Howard an entire year in the free agency cycle. Otherwise, Howard could have gone to arbitration last year and only be 3 years away from free agency.

Some owners want to win at all cost, the Phillies want to make money at all cost.

I just don't understand the Philly owners. They have a pretty new park, sold out games at the end of last season, and have a chance to really take hold of the city this year with the Eagles leveling off. And they end up making moves for the Pedro Feliz's of the world instead of that player to put them over the top. They are still possibly the best team in the NL because of the Rollins/Utley/Howard/Hamels/Myers group, but will they be willing to pay all those guys or bring in the pieces to help them win it all. They have the money.

[Elon Fightin' Christians]

That's one loss I'm glad to see the PHIGHTIN" PHILS take. He deserves it. Keep him happy and sign him long-term.

2007 NL East Champs !!!!!

MVP 2006- Howard
MVP 2007- Rollins
MVP 2008- CHASE UTLEY


GO PHILS !!!!

[BlueHen86]

I just don't understand the Philly owners. They have a pretty new park, sold out games at the end of last season, and have a chance to really take hold of the city this year with the Eagles leveling off. And they end up making moves for the Pedro Feliz's of the world instead of that player to put them over the top. They are still possibly the best team in the NL because of the Rollins/Utley/Howard/Hamels/Myers group, but will they be willing to pay all those guys or bring in the pieces to help them win it all. They have the money.

That has always been the way they operate. They know that if they spend a certain amount the team will be in the playoff hunt until the end of the season (thanks to the wild card most teams are),the stadium will be full and ownership will make a profit.

They spend just enough to maximize profits. Spending more might make the team better and help them win a World Series, but it would cut into the profit margin, so they don't do it.

[ngineer]

Glad to see Howard won the arbitration. Now they need to sign him for 7 years.. I agree that the Phils squeak..Never attempted to go after Willis or Cabrerra or Santana. Nibble at the edges and hope to get lucky. Nothing much on the immediate farm horizon. I hear the best prospects will be at AA Reading this year as opposed to AAA Lehigh Valley which will be a conglomeration of free agent has-beens hanging on for last shot.

[Eyes of Old Main]

That works out to about $50,251.26 for each of his 199 Ks last year.xcoolx

That's sounds like a Bo Jackson statistic.