News Item: Ryan Howard Wins Arbitration Case, Awarded $10 Million Salary
Can this now be over, please? The Phils weren't "cheap" for offering $7 million to a first-time-eligible player, Howard's "unresolved" contract status isn't going to be a "distraction," and Howard's not going to "hold a grudge against the team" because he didn't get paid enough. Howard's never said anything about being upset about his contract, or wanting to leave, or anything. And now that he's got a $10 million salary, when he made $900,000 last year, he's really got nothing to complain about.
Let me say this one more time: Ryan Howard is FOUR YEARS AWAY FROM FREE AGENCY. When Howard is a free agent, Obama or Hillary or McCain will be running for re-election. My wife's cousin who's due to have a baby this week will have a four-year-old. The Phils will almost certainly have a different manager and GM, and maybe even a different owner. So if you're a Phils fan and you're worried about Howard leaving, don't be. Have your mind on more short-term concerns.
Posted by Stephen Silver at February 21, 2008 03:18 PM