Even though salary arbitration hearings are set to begin Monday in Phoenix, the Phillies are still hoping that they can avoid the process and sign Ryan Howard to a new contract.
Howard, who led the majors in homers (153) and RBIs (431) over the last three seasons, is seeking a 2009 salary of $18 million. The Phillies have offered $14 million, a raise of $4 million over the $10 million Howard won in salary arbitration last year.
If an agreement is not reached, an arbitration panel will listen to arguments from both sides and pick either the team’s or the player’s figure. There is no middle ground.
“We’re still hopeful of avoiding [a hearing],” Phils general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “Our goal remains the same – get an equitable deal done.”
Amaro said the team and Howard’s representative, Casey Close, have been involved in contract discussions. Amaro would not say whether the two sides were discussing a multiyear contract or a one-year deal. The Phillies unsuccessfully tried to sign Howard to a multiyear deal each of the last two off-seasons. Howard, 29, can not be a free agent until after the 2011 season.
There were indications last winter that the Phils were willing to give Howard a contract in line with the seven-year, $85 million deal that Chase Utley got in January 2007. Howard’s side has likely set $200 million as its target.
So, despite efforts to get a deal done in the days that remain before a hearing, this one seems headed back to the table.
Howard asked for $18 million in arbitration, which is the second highest ever for an arbitration-eligible player behind Derek Jet’s $18.5 million request in 2001. If the Phillies can’t work out a long-term deal, then Howard will likely eclipse that mark next year.
