Ryan Howard’s New Contract: Sweet Deal Ruben

Can I Buy You A Drank?

I love it.  And so does Ryan Howard:

I’m happy to have this done and to know that I’ll be in Philadelphia for at least another three years.  Both sides are happy, and now I’m just focused on getting the season started and having fun.

In my post the other day, I expressed some of my reservation toward sign Ryan Howard to a long-term deal.  Ruben Amaro Jr. must have felt similarly, and avoided the long-term deal as well as any future arbitration hearings for Howard; a win-win for the Phillies GM.

Howard is a beast at the plate, and we need him in our quest for repeat World Series wins (there are no “defending” champions, as that implies you are guaranteed another shot in the title fight).  The contract locks Howard down for the short-term, but does not leave the team handcuffed like the 10-year, $180 million+ deal I’m sure Howard was looking for.

Everyone walks away happy here.  Howard gets his money now, which he deserves (don’t hate the player, hate the game).  The Phillies retain Howard for three more years in his prime, removing the black cloud of arbitration, and most importantly, the flexibility to either trade, re-sign, or let Howard walk based on his performance and maturation of the next three years.

Maybe Amaro learned the move from Vic Mackey  while playing Captain Acevada on the set of The Shield.  I’m on to you, Ruben.

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