Ryan Howard

In March of 2007, Ryan Howard had his contract renewed at $900K.  He had no leverage to expect anything more than the $380K minimum, as he was not yet arbitration-eligible.  When asked about the situation, here’s what Howard said:

"Go ask them," Howard blurted out in a raised voice. "They’re the ones with all the money." 

At that time, it was known that Howard wanted a long-term deal exceeding Chase Utley’s seven years/$85MM and probably exceeding Albert Pujols’ seven years/$100MM as well.

Scott Lauber checks in on this situation in today’s column.  Howard is arb-eligible for the first time, and should jump up past $7MM.  Pat Gillick seemed to suggest at the Winter Meetings that he expected to sign Howard long-term eventually rather than go year-to-year.  Howard doesn’t reach free agency until after the 2011 season, at which point it may be wise to let him walk (he’ll be 31).

Jim Thome’s contract forced the Phillies to keep Ryan Howard in the minors after he had proven he was ready for the big leagues.  The situation is currently paying off, as they are capturing Howard’s peak seasons very cheaply. 

Yesterday they handed the zero-leverage Howard a record-tying contract, and he does not sound happy.  If you read between the lines of his comments, it’s obvious he feels he deserved more money.  Howard’s rejection of a one-year deal for more than $900K (as opposed to the renewal sans incentives he received) sends a bitter message.  Randy Miller, unlike some of the other Philly papers, snagged a more direct quote:

"Go ask them," Howard blurted out in a raised voice. "They’re the ones with all the money." 

Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Howard is probably looking to exceed the seven-year, $100MM deal Albert Pujols has (which is a bargain for him).  Howard’s agent Casey Close told Baseball America they expect to surpass Chase Utley’s 7/85 contract if they go long-term.

Howard is an offensive superstar, no doubt, but there seems to be an unjustified sense of entitlement here.  Whether it’s driven by his agent or Howard is uncertain, but agents work for players.  Players with 1.5 seasons in the bigs have to pay their dues; the reward is being overpaid upon reaching free agency.  My gut says Howard will not sign a long-term deal or be a Phillie five years from now.

That’s not to say the Phillies shouldn’t consider locking him up despite the fact that Howard turned 27 last November.  They just have to be careful about projecting the 2014 performance of a player whose top comparables are Mo Vaughn (large decline at age 31, out of baseball at 35) and Travis Hafner (a DH).  Howard can become a free agent after the 2011 season, when he’s 31.

One final thought: I think the Phillies should’ve renewed Howard at $1.5-2MM; it would’ve sent him and the public a much better message about getting a long-term deal done.  $900K might tie a record, but only if you ignore inflation.  Jim Salisbury agrees, saying even another $100K would’ve made a symbolic difference.

A reader recently wrote:

Could you guys comment on the Ryan Howard contract?  He was signed today for 900k.  I know he’s only in his second full year, but that seems cheap for a 50+ HR guy.  I guess I’m unsure of his arbitration status, I assume he is not eligible and this contract is just a sign of good faith?

It is a sign of good faith; the salary ties Albert Pujols for the largest ever for a guy with less than two years service time.  Howard is not yet eligible for arbitration, though the Phils have talked about signing him to a long-term deal to cover those years.  The Phillies had no obligation to pay Howard more than the minimum salary of $380K.  Plenty of young guys earn $400K or less (Scott Kazmir, Robinson Cano, and Garrett Atkins come to mind).

As MLB.com’s Ken Mandel says, Howard had no leverage.  Just like when he had his agent, Larry Reynolds, demand a trade from the Phillies in the spring of 2005, when he had less than 30 days Major League service time but was blocked by Jim Thome.  (That article actually talked about moving Howard to left field – ha!)  Howard later fired Reynolds (Harold’s brother) in favor of Casey Close.