Ryan Howard had been scheduled to speak with reporters today.
But the Phillies said that after a conversation with Howard's agent, Casey Close, they have mutually agreed it would not be beneficial for Howard to speak with reporters about his contract situation until it is resolved. The Phillies also pointed out that an official news conference had never been scheduled. It was a "media availability."
Howard is seeking $10 million from the Phillies this season. The Phillies have offered $7 million. Unless the sides reach an agreement, they are scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing Wednesday in St. Petersburg.
Comments (24)
Things are about to get ugly with Howard. Either that, or they'll announce a long term deal to the pleasure and surprise of everyone.
Posted by GM-Carson | February 15, 2008 11:10 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:10
Hmmmm. No big surprise.
Posted by Norma | February 15, 2008 11:14 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:14
Things will only get "ugly" if Howard allows them to. RH will be awarded $7m or $10m next week in arbitration. If he wins, he's the second highest paid player on the team with 2-1/2 years of service. Not bad. Howard is a class-act, and will have an All-Star caliber season. Derek Jeter went to arbitration 2 times and has had no problem with the Yankees. "It's not personal Sonny, it's strictly business."
Posted by Case | February 15, 2008 11:27 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:27
Can't wait until the spring training games start so we can talk baseball and not baseball finances.
Posted by Joe | February 15, 2008 11:31 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:31
Amen, Joe! The finances will work themselves out. Let's hope everyone stays healthy and performs well!
Posted by Case | February 15, 2008 11:44 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:44
Just agree to pay him 9 mil. After last year, the Phils need to show some respect, and do more than "split the difference." /Morty
Morty and Moishe Recommend...
Posted by Morty | February 15, 2008 11:47 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:47
I think it's presumptuous to call Ryan Howard a "class act" when the public doesn't know him personally. There is a desperate lack of african-american stars in baseball and it's easy for fans as well as the hype machine to tout him just because he's well-spoken, smiles in Subway commercials, has a closely knit family, and specializes in the sexiest highlight in sports- the home run.
Posted by Rush | February 15, 2008 11:50 AM
Posted on February 15, 2008 11:50
I don't think things are going to get ugly with Howard. He reported to camp early, for one thing. That sends a tremendous message to the front office as well as the fans.
Howard is mature enough to stay focused on the game on the field. He's a good guy and a professional. No way does he sulk in bitterness and let his team down. Besides, he might just win the hearing if the Phillies don't meet him halfway first.
I think the Phillies were wise to cancel his press conference, though. There's no point until the situation is resolved.
Posted by xfactor | February 15, 2008 12:00 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 12:00
That's OK, Ryan. Put up with the cheap Fillies for a few more years. When you go free agency, the Mets will be glad to give you a fair salary. Got to spend all that money their TV Network and new stadium will be bringing in...and you will be a wonderful replacement for Delgado.
Posted by AJ | February 15, 2008 12:17 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 12:17
Rush:
I met Ryan Howard when he was in Reading. He worked in the cage with a few of my players, he is a nice guy.
AJ:
If Howard leaves Philly for New York, he will join a real franchise. The Yankees. Are the Mets still paying Mo Vaughn?
Posted by Case | February 15, 2008 12:37 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 12:37
Howard lost alot of lbs in his gut & nose
Posted by Kenny Junod | February 15, 2008 12:39 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 12:39
It's interesting that some are calling the Phillies cheap over the Howard thing. For every Rollins or Utley deal, there's a Burrell or a Lieberthal mistake. I really like Howard, but there are issues. He was out of shape last spring, lost 40 points off his average, and (this never seems to get mentioned) his defense stinks. So why not go to arbitration? To sign long-term, he wants way more than Utley got. Face it. He's going to be out of here in his walk year anyway, probably home to baseball heaven, St. Louis. Or is it Toronto?
Posted by zudok | February 15, 2008 1:25 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 13:25
zudok:
But we're not talking about a long term deal, we're talking about his arbitration number. If you show good faith to somebody, they are more inclined to work with you no the bigger stuff. The Phillies are being penny wise and pound foolish.
Posted by Morty | February 15, 2008 1:30 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 13:30
Hey case, what is the nose comment about? Grow up.
Posted by JTB | February 15, 2008 1:30 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 13:30
So he hits home runs, does that make him worth more than Utley? I'd love to hear the justification for that. Keep him as long as you can then let him go to the AL and be a DH. Get a front line pitcher for him and a few top level prospects. There's nothing really to discuss. Put a price on his services and offer him that amount. If he wants more, trade him to a team that puts that same value on his services. Make the team better in the trade.
Posted by B Beane | February 15, 2008 1:44 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 13:44
Case...OK. Either way, NYC trumps Philadelphia again. The Yankees also have their own TV Network, and are opening up their new ballpark next year too! NYC...the true capital of MLB!
Question: What city had 3 teams, one or two of which appeared in the World Series an amazing 18 straight years? 3 teams dominating baseball for 18 years!
Why, NYC of course. NY Yankees, NY (Later SF) Giants and Brooklyn (later LA) Dodgers. 1949 to 1966.
Posted by AJ | February 15, 2008 1:48 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 13:48
A.J. give it a rest would ya...
R. Howard may finally be preparing to stand up to this organization. MLBPA or not he was worth more than 900k last year. That number signifies complete and total disrespect.
Howard blow this freaking thing apart-teach them a lesson. The next three years will be the Phils only window possibly for the next 20 yrs. Be a man, be an example and be a leader not for yourself but for the down trodden, for those that lost jobs due to NAFTA, for those that get shafted by the corporate machine.
In your walk year blast 50 homers and hit 150 RBI's you'll get your 5yrs/100mil. Reputable organizations will know that you stood up for yourself and didn't give a damn for the previous two years.
The Phillies and their fans are classless and deserve the 10,000 loses they have.
Unless they pay Ryan I hope they add another 85 this year..
Posted by Truth | February 15, 2008 2:10 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:10
Hey AJ,
Howard can't become a free agent until 2011. If Carlos Delgado is still your 1B in 2010 you guys are in deep trouble. BTW, with the way the Mets squander money on over-the-hill injury prone cast-offs, you may not have the money to pay Howard even with your TV deal.
Posted by Realistic Observer | February 15, 2008 2:12 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:12
Truth, lets tone down the rheotric. The "downtrodden" would love to make $900k a year to play outdoors for 8 months. People would die to be that disrepected.
On the other hand, i do agree with you. They should just pay him.
Posted by RG | February 15, 2008 2:14 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:14
Ryan won't be standing up tp the organization. His money hungry agent will.
Posted by Norma | February 15, 2008 2:14 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:14
Truth...why rest it? Anyway, the Mets signed up their two young stars, Wright and Reyes for 5 years or so each after their second year. They didn't wait...they gave the kids a nice multi year multi $ million contract. A reasonable amount before they had to do it. That's treating your young stars right. No BS like the treatment Howard is getting.
Posted by AJ | February 15, 2008 2:19 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:19
Perfect! now Reyes has no incentive to play hard, sorta like his second half last season!
Posted by Anonymous | February 15, 2008 2:28 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:28
I'm sure the Mets will be the odds on favorite to win the division in '08. They'll be a year removed from the biggest collapse in MLB history. I look for the Phils to take 10 of 14 from the Mets this year.
Posted by ptt | February 15, 2008 2:35 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 14:35
ptt:.
1. The 1964 Filly collapse was the worst in history...blow a 6 1/2 game lead in only 12 games.
2. They play 18 games a year...not 14. It never ceases to amaze me how little regard Filly fans have for the facts.
Anonymous: David and Jose signed their new Mets contracts in July 2006. Reyes had one bad month since...Sept. 2007. Get real.
Posted by AJ | February 15, 2008 3:57 PM
Posted on February 15, 2008 15:57