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Ryan Howard's arbitration gap
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Ryan Howard is asking for quite a raise:
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.
Philadelphia offered $14 million to the 2006 NL MVP, a raise of $4 million. Howard hit 48 homers and had 146 RBIs last year, helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980.
That's quite a request after a 60 point drop in OBA. The Phillies are willing to give him a $4 million raise after a down year. Imagine what he'd be getting if he played better than in 2007!
Prince Fielder, with a better year batting, is only asking for $8 million. Prince needs to dream a little bigger.
With such a large difference between Howard's figure and the Phillies, my guess is that it goes to a hearing again. Unlike last year, the Phillies have a good case for the lower number. They're offering Howard Albert Pujols numbers for less production, both at the bat and in the field than Pujols.
