Phillies Nation

78 Responses to “Ryan Howard: $18M, Phillies: $14M”

1. Don M Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

   Has anyone seen the numbers for Jayson Werth or Joe Blanton? Wonder if they are working on longer deals for those guys than just the 1yr..

2. T Marty Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 5:34 pm

   i just saw Blanton, one year, $5.475 million

3. Don M Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 5:42 pm

   That seems like a whole lot of money to me…

4. Keith Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 5:52 pm

   $18 mil! No way he’s worth that much. What will he ask for in his final year of arbitration, $30? Time to think about saying good bye.

5. Manny Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm

   From the other post:

   Apparently Howard is not in the same sync as his teammates… Maybe he just thinks that he’s too special?? $14M is more than enough. Enough with this $18M BS. His demands are simply ridiculous.

   Dennis: Giving him respect does not mean throw money at him. I’ll give him respect once he shows humbleness and learns something from Cole and Co.

6. Jeff Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

   If he cut down the strikeouts and wasn’t a detriment defensively at first base he might be worth 15 mil. 18 mil is just rediculous

7. cm Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

   Werth is asking $4 million, Phillies want to give him $3 million. Durbin wants $1.95 mil, but the Phillies want $1.35 mil.

8. BrianD Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

   the time to move Howard passed when the Yankees signed Tex and Sox signed Youk. Whoever trades for him would have to be able to sign him long term. Is that even possible with Howard?

9. Bryan Howard Says:
   January 20th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

   “the time to move Howard passed when the Yankees signed Tex ”

   How?

   Ryan Howard is a DH. He can’t play 1st!

10. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Is it me or was it recently Philly Phans LOVED and REVERED Ryan Howard.Now most of you want to basically run him out of town on a rail.Ryan Howard no matter what he is on the field is a dangerous presence at the dish and helped the Phils when it mattered the most.As an Amazins fan,I’m scared of him whenever he faces us because he’s that damn good and has my respect as a player.Just remember that you don’t know what you got til its gone.

11. Georgie Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    Are you forgetting we already lost Pat the Bat, who had 33 HRs and 86rbi , who we replaced with Ibanez, who had 100 more at bats than Pat and 10 less HR’s? Now you want to get rid of Howard and lose his close to 50 HR’s and 150 rbi? That’s alot of power gone from the lineup. I think we take for granted that with those two guys there’s always the chance they might win a game for you with one mighty swing, tough to replace that, especially for cheap.

    Miner, “you don’t know what you got til it’s gone” -words of wisdom, great tune too!

12. Howard Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    If Mr. Howard could learn to field and show a little more patience at the plate, MAYBE he would be worth $14m. However, that’s even a stretch. No one is worth that amount of cash. Would it be difficult to replace his bat, yes. But not impossible. It would take some time. I think it’s time to start planning for his replacement.

13. Jason B. Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    I have to say that I see this as the beginning of the end for Howard. There is something seriously wrong with the world when a 4 mil/yr raise is not enough. He is worth 14 mil, sure, but 18 mil… NO WAY!!! His fielding skills are deplorable and he should get traded to the AL.

14. christopher Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    might be negotiable, but after last arbitration it was obvious that this was going to be the routine for the rest of howard’s time here in philly. if they go again, the phils might actually win this time. no big whoop either way.

15. Andrew R. Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    Well, we sure will miss him when he’s gone. But let’s just enjoy the big man while we have him. I will say that he will definately NOT get what he is seeking. It is just way too much. If he hit .313 like his MVP year, than maybe. But the fact that he took the first 5 months off and salvaged the season in Sept. no way. His HR’s and RBI’s, especially in our ballpark, are misleading statistics. Put him out in PETCO park with that lineup and he wouldn’t have those numbers. He’d still be feared and be in the upper tier of players, but not the 50 HR, 140 rbi guy we know and love.

    Forget the Yanks and Red Sox, exploit the stupid teams like: the Orioles, Giants, Rangers, Mariners, etc. Some team will be on the cusp at the deadline maybe not in 2009, but in 2010, that will give up the world for him, unless of course this is his last year as a Phillie. I don’t see why we can’t have either Dominic Brown or Michael Taylor learn to play 1st in a few years. Who knows? That’s why Ruben gets paid the big bucks.

    He will not get $18M. That’s almost double his salary, and this year was definately a step backwards. No way!! Sorry Ryan.

16. Geoff Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Well theyve got Blanton and Vic taken care of for a year. Now the question is does Werth get a one year deal or an extension?

    once they take care of that, its all down to Howard and will they decide to make the move and get rid of him. I say yes…trade him. Get some good prospects, replace him with Dunn.

17. Andrew R. Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Here’s something for fun…. Phillies trade Howard for big chips and sign Manny. Ibanez moves to first. Imagine that. Could Ibanez be any worse at first than Howard? I doubt it. So what it comes down to is Manny instead of Howard. I’d take that over the next 2-3 years any day. What would we get for Howard? I’ll take a Rollins-Werth-Utley-Manny-Ibanez-Victorino lineup. That’s balance. No holes there whatsoever.

18. psujoe Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    I think Ibanez HR per plate appearence will be similar to Pat’s in CBP(not per AB, but per appearence). 18 million for 200 KO’s, no range and a poor glove is too much, but 14 mil was low balling again. I would’ve went 15.5 and I think the would’ve won. Now it’s a crap shoot. Definately his last year in Philly.

19. Howard Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    Andrew – I don’t know if we’d put up with “Manny being Manny”. It’d be a show at first, but after a few “missed” plays, he wouldn’t be able to take the heat. We wouldn’t put up with his antics.

20. Phil Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    Andrew R…I 100% agree with you.

21. Phil Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    I don’t know about you, Howard but if Manny drops a simple fly ball then walks up to the dish and knocks in a game winning home run then all will be forgiven.

22. Joe O'Phillie Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    $18 million would put him in the top 5. From his perspective, he is a top 5 talent. He is the best power hitter in baseball. However, he loses points due to his low batting average and terrible fielding. Puljos made less than $14 million last year. I think the Phils win this round.

    Whatever you do, don’t trade Howard now. Let’s ride this boy to another championship or two while we have him.

23. Howard Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Agreed, since we have him until 2011.

24. ActuallyChilled Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    I would settle for something in between on Howard. we know that when he’s on, he’s on, and can strike fear in opposing pitchers. he is part of the championship team, and to subtract his presence might alter the chemistry… ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it…?’

    its not time to let him out of here, at least yet. let him take any selfish-based anger out on the ball, if thats possible, and let’s the world series rings drop down as they may.

    Everyone wants to talk about his low batting average, like its the worst issue, and place him in Dunn territory as a result. those of you might be forgetting that BA with runners in scoring position is key for someone in the middle of a lineup, and Howard’s average in such situations was well over .300 if I recall correctly, close to the top; whereas, Dunn continues to blow. Thats what matters: he’s freakin’ clutch. There is no doubt about that. and his September numbers, a ’salvage’? Gimme a break. thats doubles his clutch value.

    Anyway, whatever happens, he’ll be in Philly this next season. Amaro wouldn’t dare move him. Too much risk to his legacy. If they don’t win the world series again and Howard is gone this season, Amaro will be blamed as the cause of failure. I doubt he’ll take that risk.

25. Phil Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    I’d rather have Dunn and Lowe for $20 million a year next year than Howard for $18 million a year. That’s just me though.

26. Geoff Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    I agree except Lowe was too old to give that money to. Its Dunn and Sheets. Thats what theyve gotta do, thats the smart move. Ryan Howard is gone and Im going to be happy. We won a world title with him, now its time for him to go get his money elsewhere and the phillies will go win another world championship without him. Oh yes. its time. Ruben is just getting warmed up.

27. Geoff Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 10:28 pm

    I know it may not be likely but I want him gone, hes WAY out of line and hes being disrespectful and hes gotta go.

28. Andrew R. Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    Howard, yes Manny being Manny is part of the BS that comes with it. As long as Manny is happy, he is fine. This is a team where he doesnt have to be the big guy. I think he will understand his role and not really need to draw attention to himself. He was great in LA. He hit the ball, mentored the young kids a little bit and was a leader on the field. All he has to do here is come out and play. We have leaders, we have stars, all we need is a stick.

    His ‘missed plays’ cannot be any worse than Burrell’s crappy play. Even though he made few errors last year, any decent high school OF would have played a better LF. I would take Ibanez and Manny over Pat and Howard. Assuming defense is about the same for the 2 (with Ibanez at 1st), I’ll take the two that have .290 and .320 career averages over the two .250 averages. Oh and the combined strikeout totals would be about 150 less. Imagine that.

    Again, it was just a fun thought. No way to Dunn. crap.

29. Bruce Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    Just last year, the Phillies front office and some fans here thought $10M was too much for Howard. Of course, the panel of arbitrators took one look at his achievements (for 2007) and thought otherwise. Now the front office upped their offer this year to $14M. Guess what, The arbitrators will decide in Howard’s favor again ($18M). Nothing the Phils can do with that when he is asking for breaking records every year (2nd year in a row in leading majors in RBIs and HRs and finishing a close second for MVP)).

    If only, the Phillies had the foresight to sign him to a multi-year contract LAST year. All that money that could have been saved from his arbitration years and now must pay the price.

30. John J Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    this is what you get when you pay a guy 999,000.00. that was a slap in the face and now he’s making the phils pay. karma is a …….

31. JSmith Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 12:47 am

    All I have to say is keep Manny outta Philly. I think Manny is fine right where he’s at. I couldn’t tell you who would be a perfect replacement for Howard but feel another strong starting pitcher would not have been a bad idea. I can’t see Howard being around for more than 2 seasons though. I guess they could always charge $15 for a beer, $12 for a hot dog and hats could easily go up to $40. (sarcasm)

32. BrianD Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 8:51 am

    I wish I had the balls to turn down a 40% raise and say you know what I need an 80% raise this year……..

    Especially in light of the fact that one of the simplest parts of my job I suck at (throws to 2nd).
    If I’m the GM I use him up this year and see what we can do next off season.

33. scott Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 9:14 am

    i say we trade howard now for a right handed power 3b and sign adam dunn to play first whom we can give about 10 mil less than howard. if you think about it dunn is about the same player he may not hit as many hr as howard but the threat of him going deep every pitch is there plus the both strike out all the time wont be anything new to us.. i just cant see paying a guy that much money who cant hit an off speed pitch to save his life

34. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 9:19 am

    For what its worth… Howard is no A-rod, or Pujols, or whatever… but Adam Dunn sure ain’t Ryan Howard either

35. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Daily News has the projected payroll between $132 M and $136 M depending on Howard’s arbitration number.

    We still owe $3 M to Thome…. EATON is $8.5 M, and JENKINS is $6.75 M

    My point last year was that if you totaled the numbers you got from Werth and Jenkins, you had one hell of a RF, but now that the total salary for those two climsb to $10 M, it looks worse

36. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 9:29 am

    I don’t know that Werth would/should sign an extension for what the Phillies want to pay him.. he’s a 5-tool player, and lots of teams would want him, Mets included… he could get AT LEAST $5-6 M a season for a 3 or 4 year deal, if the Phillies are only looking at $3 M per season, even $4… They’d offer a 3 year/$12 M contract… chances are he’d laugh at that

    it needs to be at least 3yr/$15 M in my mind

37. Richie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 9:51 am

    Okay guys, I know Ryan Howards don’t grow on trees and we will never replace his bat in the lineup and all that, but money doesn’t grow on trees either and we do not have the money to pay him if we are going to contiuously add key pieces to the puzzle every year like we have. Ruben has the next two years to find a viable replacement and get the most for him. Bye Ryan, it is a shame you can’t be satisfied with like 16 mil for 4 years, but no your bill at McDonald’s wont be covered with that. Although I love seeing you swing through horrible pitches and kick balls around theinfield every night, you do erupt the stadium like no other. There is no denying that. I know. Happy Trails Ryno!

38. The Sports Complex :: Blog Archive :: Why Ryan Howard is Worth the Money :: Philadelphia City Paper :: Philadelphia Arts, Restaurants, Music, Movies, Jobs, Classifieds, Blogs Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 9:54 am

    [...] the masses at Phillies Nation, Beerleaguer, The Good Phight and The Level all seem to agree that the number is out of line. [...]

39. Geoff Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:04 am

    check cots baseball contracts..i think their debt to thome is paid now. bringing in dunn around 8mm, and sheets 6-8m base with incentives up to 14 basically covers the howard money..shedding his salary could go a long way. If youre worried about cutting payroll Howards the guy that goes, brett myers is after him (but if you could afford to keep myers id hang onto him another year and offer him a hometown discount to resign next year if he finally is the consistent starter hes supposed to be – if he struggles again – seya pal)

40. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:13 am

    Do you know how bad are team becomes if the center of your lineup has Adam Dunn instead of Ryan Howard…

    Sheets isn’t coming here, lets stop that talk now… I’ll quit posting on here for a month if we sign Ben Sheets.

    No wonder athletes in Philadelphia hate it here… imagine if any of them ever read this page, and what “the real fans” think…

41. Georgie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am

    Jeez, I brought up Dunn months ago as a replacement for Pat, and everyone acted like I was retarded or something, and bringing in Manny, are you kidding? Are you forgetting that he intentionally dogged it in Boston just because he was sick of being there? I want NO parts of someone like that on this team, we have too many young guys he could have a negative influence on, we are not that desperate.

42. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:32 am

    Hamels doesn’t mind Howard asking for $18 M…. “He can change the game with one swing of the bat.”

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3847195

43. Georgie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:37 am

    No matter what network you watch, NFL, MLB, Fox, ESPN, someone always brings up the fans in Philly, how tough they are, how much they boo. It usually ticks me off, but when I see people on here say they would boo ANYONE on a championship team, I just feel it brings shame to the fans and the city. McNabb is another example, I know he whines alot, but for those who want him out of here, who the hell do you get to replace him, it ain’t that easy! If the Eagles FO would listen to him and get a WR, FB, RB, anything to help him out, the haters might feel differently. I’m digressing, but let’s try to keep the hating and booing to a minimum, we are talking about the WS champs, right?

44. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:37 am

    …bad OUR* team becomes…

45. Geoff Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Ryan Howard is a negative influence…arrogant greedy player who thinks hes greater than the game…and if we dont need players like that on our team (manny ramirez) then we dont need ryan howard because he IS one of those turd guys.

    Adam Dunns numbers were not that much worse than howards. i mean, theyre close enough to NOT pay howard the 14m let alone 18m and go for the cheaper option.

    dunn: 40HR 100 RBI .236 AVG
    howard: 48HR 146 RBI .251 AVG

    howards are clealry better but theyre not 10 million dollars better than dunns…so i dont wanna hear it. if howard leaves chase utley raul ibanez jimmy rollins and shane victorino would be the focal points of the offense as it would be a contact hitting team. dunn would be there for extra power.

    Then you bring in sheets because he is worth the risk. they risked it with adam eaton so not risking it with sheets is foolish. The rotation is good enough that you can AFFORD to take the risk and not be SCREWED if it doesnt work out…which is precisely why you take the risk. i dont even consider jamie moyer a known quantity in this rotation whatsoever at all in any way. you cant honeslty say you have ANY idea what youre going to get from him. two season ago he was FLAT OUT horrible, last season he was great…so what this time?

46. Geoff Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:49 am

    actually you know what? forget adam dunn…still, im not enthusiastic at all about keeping ryan howard here with his attitude. i dont even want to look at him anymore because of that level of greed and arrogance. its all about money and greed when youre haggling over a few million and you ALREADY have millions in the bank. thats insulting and putrid….

47. Richie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Make no mistake about it, this Phillies team will be cheered unmercifully this entire year. Win, lose, or draw (I say this with my foot already in mouth, haha). No, seriously, Utley, Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Ruiz, Werth, Vic, will all get the praise they rightfully deserve as the first champs of most of our lifetime, but I don’t care what you do in Philly, if you do something to rub our faces in the snow like what Howard is doing, he is gonna get booed if he slips up. You want 18 mil, now your smackin your blue collar fans in the face and sayin I am higher than this team, screw you! So, with that comes the territory, but everyone else will be worshiped. Ryan, you made your bed now lie in it!

48. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am

    Geoff…”Ryan Howard is a negative influence”

    says who, you? His teammates sure seem to love him… but if you don’t like him because he wants to get paid a lot of money, the Phillies should listen to you .. you had lots of great ideas about which players to trade last year, Rollins, Howard, Madson (or did you want Madson released outright, I forget)..

    give it a rest dude… he’s ASKING for $18 M…. he never said he’s going to sit out if he doesn’t get paid that much, he’s just asking for that much because he looks at the list of players who make more than that and realizes he’s better than most of them. The fact that there are also players better than Howard that make less then he does gives the Phillies leverage too… none of that means that you should trade Howard because of what he asked in arbitration.

    sometimes, my blood pressure goes through the roof reading posts on this site

49. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:00 am

    This list if from David Murphy (philly.com High Cheese)

    Ten players currently have contracts whose average annual value is $18 million or greater:

    Alex Rodriguez, NYY 2008-17 $27,500,000

    CC Sabathia, NYY 2009-15 $23,000,000

    Johan Santana, NYM 2008-13 $22,916,667

    Miguel Cabrera, Det 2008-15 $19,037,500

    Derek Jeter, NYY 2001-10 $18,900,000

    Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 2008-12 $18,300,000

    Andruw Jones, LAD 2008-09 $18,100,000

    Vernon Wells, Tor 2008-14 $18,000,000

    Barry Zito, SF 2007-13 $18,000,000

    Ichiro Suzuki, Sea 2008-12 $18,000,000

    Torri Hunter, LAA 2008012 $18,000,000

50. Geoff Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:26 am

    that list don…how many good contracts are on that list? ZERO…bruce was talking about giving him 18 20 and 22 m in an escalating 3 year deal…thats horrible! nobodys worth that much money…tori hunter worth 18m? HAHAHA NO WAY…if you want to pay howard that type of money then go ahead…and yes, im putting words in your mouth and im just going to go ahead and SAY that you want to give him that deal too even though you probably dont…

    BUT…its time to give the phillies preemptive credit for signing Jayson Werth to a multiyear deal. NICE! Im interested to see what numbers he gets…

51. freddy Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:27 am

    hopefully he get’s the money,,i’m tired of him coming in my bar and stiffing me,,cheep prick,,he drank free beer all night and does not leave a tip…even the scumbags leave a dollar,

52. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:34 am

    Geoff, all i’m asking is that you say what you mean, and mean what you say..

    I was going to post this after the list, but wanted people to have their say.. here was my initial take on that list:

    A-Rod is better, Cabrera is probably better… Sabathia and Santana aren’t really comparable, but I think pitchers get paid WAY TOO MUCH for only playing in 35 games of 162. Ichiro is a hell of player, but in my opinion NO PLAYER should make that much money.. A-Rod makes $55,000 PER AT-BAT….. more than I make in a year..

    But when you say things like Howard is a negative influence, Its just stupid.

53. Georgie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am

    Geoff, if the Phillies FO had listened to you last season, they would have traded away over half the team and then we could have gone to the playoffs…. oh yeah, wait, we won the WS with those guys.

54. Richie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Don, you don’t think that what Howard is doing with these arbitration talks and everything brings a negative vibe to such a positive situation we have right now?

55. Georgie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Hey, the FO started all this by low-balling him the first time before they went to arb, and who won that round? I seriously doubt any of the players feel Ryan is a “negative influence” on the team, get real!

56. PEASANT Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:45 am

    Howard is the most fun player to watch I’ve ever seen on this team. I love the other guys, but when Howard comes to bat, and you have a feeling he could go all the way… and he does… to me, that’s the best part of the game to watch, and he delivers in spades.

57. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am

    Cole Hamels…. ACE… said he supports Ryan going after that money and getting paid.

    They all realize its a business, and they are all for each other getting paid..

    Everyone involved last year said that the only thing Howard brought to the field during the entire arbitration process was a huge smile when he won.. he never talked about it, never let it bother him…. why it bothers all of us so bad I don’t understand.

    I honestly don’t think he’ll get awarded the $18 M… but you never know.. I was shocked he asked for that much at first, but all he did was ASK.. it never hurts to ask

58. Geoff Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:56 am

    maybe not on his teammates, but it will be on teh fanbase and I seriously doubt he will be recived warmly at all when he strikes out all those times…liek last year…he basically was booed most of the season until he got his act together in september.

59. Richie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 11:58 am

    I hear ya, if that is the case than so be it, but I just see everyone else fall in line signing left and right making sure we keep this core in place and seeing what they offer him being double what they give Utley, and he says no I want more. I don’t have time for it and I’m telling you that this city is going to react the same way. Yes, he is just asking, but look at the publicity it is getting it is a lead story on sportscenter just that he turned down the Phils offer. If you wanna be a rockstar and be held to a higher standard and paid like that, don’t go on shows crying like a big baby that we don’t like you. No, Ryan we loved you, but hate greedy selfish players.

60. Don M Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    All things considered, it Utley was in the same spot… im sure he would WANT more too.. but he’s not.. Howard is in the position he’s in because the Phillies held him back.. now he realizes he’s not going to be able to get the long-term deal he would want.. so he’s trying to get that money through arbitration.

    People are going to boo Howard regardless.. and he’s bound to start slowly, because he always does… anyone that boo’s anything except a lack of hustle, sucks at life

61. Mike B. Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Geoff, I’ve also been unhappy about such a huge salary, but I don’t think he’s a negative influence on the team. Not like Scott Rolen was. Certainly not in the way T.O. was for the Eagles. I see why you’re angry at it – I think salaries are ridiculous. I am also unhappy that he has the gall to ask for an 80 percent raise when his BA dropped and OBP plummeted. If it weren’t for that, I’d say pay him market value. He deserves a raise for his September and getting us to the World Series, albeit not as big a raise as he seeks. But as long as he doesn’t fight the Phils through the media, okay. As long as he doesn’t complain in the media “why isn’t J-Roll supporting me when Hamels did,” okay. Richie, yeah it sucks to have to talk about this when pretty much every other deal has gotten done. But it could be a T.O. situation.

    And besides, this is Philly sports. Something always has to be wrong enough to overshadow what is going well.

62. Georgie Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    What do you think players on visiting teams say when they hear the Philly fans booing the likes of Ryan Howard? Probably makes them think twice about coming here, I mean, really, if they boo him, they’d crucify any one else. Sure, pro athletes are supposed to have tough skin, they have to take it, but would you want to play someplace where you AND your family are subjected to rude, foul-mouthed fans all the time?

    Mike Schmidt is a prime example, was he a likeable, fan -friendly type? No, but does that mean his wife has to put up with people at games calling her nasty names and such, that is just classless and ignorant, but nevertheless it happened, and to me it’s inexcusable.

63. Richie Allen Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Im sure some wont come here because of the boo-birds but our positives outweigh the negatives.For instance …just winning the world series,would be a major major factor.
    But as far as Ryan Howard goes,I dont want to get rid of him.But 18 mil ?..and 2 more arbitrations left…dont forget we are not the Yankees.
    Like Don M always said ,hopefully we can keep signing him in arbitration till 2011,and then he goes on to get a 3 yr DH contract in the AL.

64. Manny Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    I REALLY REALLY hope that he loses the arbitration. He needs to calm down and remain grounded. He is an excellent player, but if you’re gonna ask for THAT much money, then we (Phillies fans) expect him to perform accordingly… that means less striking out, better defense, less slumps… 14 MILLION DOLLARS seems more than fair.

65. JSmith Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    How about $12 mil, a $500 Walmart gift card, $500 Turkey Hill card (can be used for either gas or treats), some new cds and a box of krispy kremes?

66. NJ Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Jsmith- If Howard’s dad you counter with $13m, the $500 wallmart card re-named the Ryan Howard and rap contract and a homework lines from Jim Thome appologising for sabotaging Ryan’s earning to just a putrid amount…

    Ryan wins we loose and he’s gone, Ryan looses and we loose because he’s gone.

67. Is Ryan Howard Worth $18 Million? | Heard in the Cheap Seats Says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    [...] and it looks like the Phils are poised to make a run at defending their World Series trophy.  The one player that they have not come to terms with and will go to arbitration with is Ryan Howard.  This does not come as a surprise to anyone.  Ryan Howard has asked for $18 million this year, [...]

68. Gavin Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 am

    5 years 110 million. I think that gets it done and I dont think…..in todays market…..that is overpaying. I’d like to see that get done.

    On a purely personal note, I had the pleasure of having a baseball idol as I grew up in Scmidt. I would like for my 4 year old son to have someone like that. Kids choose who they like and although I pump up Utley and Hamels…..my 4 year old mainly loves Ryan Howard. Am I alone in thinking that its still kinda important to have someone stick around long enough to be an idol? Granted he better keep putting up those numbers or it doesnt matter…..

69. Geoff Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 11:57 am

    that contract would cripple this team and in all likelihood they would SUCK in three years with that contract. the phillies would offload other key talent to makeup for howards fat salary and they would end up sucking and missing the playoffs because they WILL NOT become the red sox or yankees with payroll. That would be a horrible signing…get rid of this guy while you can still get value for him. as in RIGHT NOW.

70. Don M Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Unfortunately, if they start signing guys to contracts over $20 M per year… most families won’t be able to take their kids to the ballpark cause decent seats will cost you $50 each..

71. Don M Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Geoff, are you still trying to get rid of Howard because he doesn’t leave tips at bars (which was incorrect)… or now you’re trying to move him before you need to, and before teams are falling over one another to add his bat to their lineup at the trade deadline next year??

    I get so confused sometimes

72. Geoff Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    I think he is at his peak value right now because any team that gets him has TWO years to sign him to a long term contract. I dont care about the bar story obviously, Im just tired of this same old Eric Lindros primadonna act. His reps are plainly and clearly stating that they dont want to be here by asking for 18mm given how well they know the phillies by nwo. This posturing basically tells me that they want the Phillies to trade him to a team that will sign him to a long-term big money contract because they know the Phillies absolutely will not. All this talk of a bgi multiyear deal to keep Howard with the Phillies is EVEN MORE ridiculous than what Im suggesting..

73. Don M Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    Do you, Geoff, actually want the Phillies to trade Ryan Howard right now…. or are you just stirring the pot for things to talk about?

    Don’t you think he has more value with an in-season trade, when teams have fewer options as to what pieces they can add to their team… and the player that leads the league in HRs and RBIs is sure to be the main draw for anyteam looking for a bat..?

74. Geoff Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Its been a slow day….so, this gives us something to talk about…

    Obviously, he wont be traded before the season starts unless a shocker comes along. This year before the trade deadline gives his new team a year and a half or so to sign him to an extension – plenty of time, which gives him peak value in my opinion. That allows the Yankees offseason acquisitions time to implode on them, the Red Sox time to figure out what to do with David Ortiz down the line, the Angels time to get VERY desperate, and a few sleeper teams to pop up.

    Now if the Phillies are in teh race or leading it theyd demand someone off a major league roster in return for howard as opposed to prospects, because itd take more to give him up in that cas.e

75. Art Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Phillie doesn’t seem to be able to appreciate the talent that they have. Throughout his career, Mike Schmidt was booed and treated shamelessly by the fans. The result – he may be the best third basemen of all time. Now we want to trade Ryan Howard or not pay him what he would get if he was a free agent. What team wouldn’t pay him $18 million a year? The man was Rookie of the Year, MVP, and runner-up MVP. He brought the division championship to Philly with his performance in September. Pay the man!!!

76. Don M Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Isn’t $10 M last year, and $14 M or $18 M this season “paying the man”?

    Also Mike Schmidt was a d-bag who refused to sign autographs or take pictures on a regular basis… including for children and stadium employees at the Vet.

    He thought he was God’s gift to baseball, and shows this again by saying he wanted to be a Manager, then calling it quits after he was placed in Clearwater A-ball… unlike say, Ryne Sandberg who is working his way up the ranks with the Cubs system.

    I will agree that MOST fans, and especially in Philadelphia… you often don’t know what ya got until its gone. People calling for Howard trades, McNabb trades, etc… these guys are the best we’ve ever seen in this city, and people want them gone..

77. Chuck P Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    Joni Mitchell never lies…

    We still don’t like Schmidt and we know that he’s the best third baseman of all time. You can’t be an ass and expect the city to love you, no matter how many home runs you hit. We appreciate and admire the numbers that he put up but he’s not likeable. Howard is likeable but we have seen the inconsistency in his swing and that makes us nervous. As the big man approaches 30, history is not on his side and we know that. The older he gets, the more difficult it will be for him to reach those balls low and away (and he has not proven that he can lay off of anything). The older he gets, the less likely he’ll be able to keep up with the physical demands of being an everyday 1B. I will be the first to admit that he has been worth every penny so far and, if he can continue to produce, I have no problem paying him whatever it takes to keep him but that’s a big IF and it should not be overlooked.

78. Na Lawernce Says:
    June 5th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    I can’t tell why bing sent me to this site but I might as well say I have been overall entertained by the posts you have patched together. How long did it take to end up with so many users arriving to your internet page? I am pretty new to this WWW thing.

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