Ryan Howard's arbitration hearing has begun. It could take a long time before it concludes, but even when it does we don't expect a resolution. That might come within 24 hours.
Stay tuned.
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Howard's Hearing Underway
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Todd Zolecki is in his sixth season covering the Phillies. Born and raised in Milwaukee – he suffered through the Packers’ crushing loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field in January – he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a journalism degree.
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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on February 20, 2008 11:07 AM.
The previous post in this blog was Howard's Big Day.
The next post in this blog is UPDATED: Howard's hearing ends.
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Comments (18)
This is one of the most interesting arbitration cases ever, solely based on the deparity of the figures- 7 mil vs. 10 mil...that's a big difference.
Posted by GM-Carson | February 20, 2008 12:07 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 12:07
I can't wait til this thing is over. It's creating a devide in the fan base and it is only a matter of time until it invades the clubhouse. However team vs. front office worked in Major League.
Posted by Kev | February 20, 2008 12:42 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 12:42
If they look at the past two years, I can't see him losing. ROY, MVP, fastest to 100 HR's in history, and more HR's and RBI's than ANYONE else in baseball over that period. Yikes. If there's a stronger case to be made for why they should pay him, I'd love to see it. If they look more closely at last year, however, I can see it being much more of a coin flip.
Posted by TDOG | February 20, 2008 1:40 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 13:40
I don't think it's dividing the fans or the clubhouse. It's part of the business of baseball. I'm sure everyone will be happy in the end.
Posted by Norma | February 20, 2008 1:42 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 13:42
RH doesn't want to sign an extension. Pat Burrell would like to sign a "Life-time" contract with the Phillies. Rollins and Utley signed extensions and appear to be very content. Every player is different, some guys want the security of a long contract while sacrificing some $$. Some players want to play out their arbitration years and become a Free Agent. Barry Bonds was a phenomenal player in Pittsburgh, but knew he would earn millions once testing Free Agency.
I don't know if Howard wants to stay here for another 7 years. He will definitley be here for the next four.
Posted by Case | February 20, 2008 2:04 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:04
Kev, This is not going to dividing the fanbase nor will it divide clubhouse. Its something that is being overblown by a few.
Posted by KoolEarl | February 20, 2008 2:07 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:07
Just pay the guy...forget about comparable players, they don't apply to Ryan Howard. He is special and the Phillies should WANT to take care of a player of his caliber, not nickel and dime him every year. They won't have any problem counting their money from the fans that came to see him. For once, it would be nice to see the Phillies brass to show some guts, not to mention interest in the world around them.
Posted by The Ghost of Charlie Hayes | February 20, 2008 2:35 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:35
Look at the bright side, this arbitration hearing has distracted everyone from bitching about Manuel yet, the state of the bullpen, dollar dog day, etc.
Posted by jimmymack | February 20, 2008 2:42 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:42
Going back to the previous post, how dare you guys leave out Eaton and Helms! Oh wait, no pitchers, ok I'll take Helms and Bruntlett. Who better to start a team with! lol Can we all meet up at a specific game so we can meet Truth? I have to put a face with this guy or gal.
Posted by clinton, nj | February 20, 2008 2:42 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:42
This is totally managements fault. They should have locked him into a long term deal last year. Granted, they would have paid more than the $900k he made last year, but in the long run it would have been a win/win for both Howard and the Phillies. Howard gets his guaranteed money, and the Phillies get one of the best HR hitters ever for the team for a long time and at a discount. I dont understand why you dont lock him in now, as its only going to cost more in the end.
Posted by David | February 20, 2008 2:46 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:46
This story is way overblown. If Howard wins, he's happy. If he loses he'll still have $7 million and the chance next year to either sign a long-term deal or go back to arbitraton again (where he'll make even more money unless he flops this year). Either way, after this ruling, he will go out and play baseball and this will be old news. If he isn't willing to do a long-term deal, he can't really be upset by the outcome of these arbitration hearings for the next three years. You either sign long-term, or you take what you get in arbitration. It is a very simple choice, and one that is not uncommon in baseball.
Posted by Realistic Observer | February 20, 2008 2:50 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:50
David, they are not going to lock him in. These are the Phillies and that would be show class and/or loyalty. The "gang of 30" or whatever are not of the same cloth as the Rockies or even the Mets. Those organizations lock up their franchise players in year one or two. Howard is a smart enough guy to know that he is not going to get 5/100 right now. The Phillies are smart enough to know that he is worth more tha 900k. It is the Phillies that could over something in the middle. Like a 4/55 (13.75 mil per annum) to finish his lock up period. If they had done so it would be public.
The Phillies protect wife beaters; why would we think the would be classy enough to split the middle.
Clinton NJ I generally sit and hold court in the front row 3rd base side 10-15 gms a year. I'd be glad to chit-chat.
Posted by Truth | February 20, 2008 2:58 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 14:58
Were you the guy that yells "everyone hits, woo-hoo"?
Did you mean the "dirty 30"?
Posted by jimmymack | February 20, 2008 3:49 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 15:49
Truth, Two questions:
First of all, giving Ryan Howard a 4 year contract like that would be a good idea, if he would accept it. We don't know what the Phillies offered so we can't say who is being greedy or stingy. If I were the Phillies I would have tried to avoid arbitration with a 6 year deal for say about $100 million that would cover 4 years of arbitration and 2 years of potential free agency.
Also how can you go to Phillies games? If you hate the Phillies Front Office so much then don't support them. Don't go to any Phillies games or buy any Phillies merchandise or watch/listen to any Phillies games on TV/radio if you really want to stop this Front Office from not spending like the big market team that it is.
Posted by typoon | February 20, 2008 5:05 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 17:05
Typhoon, I go to Phillies games because my opinion doesn't matter; kind of like a vote in Florida in the election of 2000...
It's entertainment just like this.
Posted by Truth | February 20, 2008 5:40 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 17:40
Truth, if it's just entertainment then stop complaining about the Phillies Front Office and Phillies players all the time. Just relax, enjoy baseball and don't take it to seriously. If you can't do that go jump on the Mets bandwagon.
Posted by typhoon | February 20, 2008 6:59 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 18:59
Well truth, be on the lookout or have an ear peeled for some truth seeking!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 20, 2008 8:08 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 20:08
I just ordered tickets for a few games from the Phillies *pre-sale*. Sitting along the 3rd base line, as usual, too. I'll be looking for you Truth!
Posted by Norma | February 20, 2008 8:22 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 20:22