Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote Monday night that the Kansas City Royals have had internal discussions about possibly acquiring Phillies first basemen Ryan Howard. The Royals would see Howard as a fit to replace Billy Butler as the teams designated hitter. Howard is owed $60 million dollars and the Phillies will likely have to eat most of that money.
While the report that the Phillies may have found a taker for Howard is exciting to some, Jim Salisbury of Comcast Sports Net says its not even close. Salisbury cites a source that says the Royals interest in Howard is way overblown and that “teams discuss every player this time of year.”
Its no secret that the Phillies are actively looking to move the 2006 NL MVP who has likely played his last game ever in Phillies pinstripes. A Howard trade is not a matter of “if” but “when” at this point.
