BlueBaron

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP)—Everywhere Ryan Howard turned, people wanted to dig into his pockets.

Howard’s bank account just skyrocketed like one of those home runs he deposits into the upper deck. Baseball’s best bargain finally will be getting big bucks.

Howard won his salary arbitration case against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday when he was awarded $10 million, the highest figure given a victorious player.

Now teammates expect him to pay for their meals and pick up the tab on their nights out.

“My reaction is mostly relief,” Howard said. “It was an interesting process. Anyway you look at it, it’s a win-win because it’s a substantial raise.”

Howard made $900,000 last year and $355,000 during his MVP season in 2006. The Phillies offered $7 million, but Howard became the first player to win in six arbitration cases this season.

Ryan Howard beats Phillies in arbitration and will earn $10 million - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Killswitch

This actually isn't a bad situation for the Phillies. Why? Because Ryan Howard is old. A long term contract doesn't make sense now because he is 29. His knees won't hold up that big body deep into his thirties. So the Phillies just keep going to arbitration with him until he's 31, 32. Then they trade him away for a bunch of top notch prospects. Arbitration will never go to the A-Rod numbers that Howard apparently wants. So the Phillies pay less, don't pay for an old player and get a bunch of prospects.

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