Ryan Howard sets arbitration record; Will Bank $10 Million in 2008

By TheNaturalMevs on February 21, 2008

Some would agree that Ryan Howard’s performance the last two seasons would warrant him as one who deserves a long-term contract from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies didn’t agree to that point of view. Now they’re going to pay him $10 million dollars for just this year, and it’s a decent amount although not the level that Howard would probably command on the open market.

Defying the odds and historical precedent, Ryan Howard was awarded his arbitration claim $10 million this morning. The victory for Howard surpasses the previously held record (Andruw Jones, $8.2 million) for most money won through a player’s claim.

Some who think that this is the first step in Howard earning a long-term contract from the Phillies might be wrong, as it is his age (28 this season) that concerns the Phillies. He isn’t exactly a player who will age well. It might make more sense for the Phillies to continue to pay him on a year-to-year basis, even if it doesn’t keep Howard the happiest of ballplayers.