Ryan Howard Has A New Contract

I must say, this has been one of the busiest days I've ever had as a blogger. This story came about yesterday afternoon, but with the live blog last night, my classes this morning and early afternoon, and all the other bizarre headlines that have been breaking today, I have not got around to this at all. Therefore, it is doubtless that I am not telling you anything here that you don't already know, but Ryan Howard has signed a contract extension with the Phillies! Really. It's true.

Howard will earn $15 million in 2009, $19 million in 2010 and $20 million in 2011. He also has a clause in his contract that would require the Phillies to pay him $1 million if they trade him before Nov. 1, 2010.

Then there are the incentives, which could really send Howard's paycheck into orbit. His base salary would increase by $1 million in 2010 and 2011 if he was named MVP in the preceding season and he would get a $1 million bonus if he wins the MVP Award in 2011. If he finishes second in any year, he'll get a $500,000 bonus. A World Series MVP gets Howard $100,000, NLCS MVP $50,000, Gold Glove $50,000, Silver Slugger for $100,000, and $50,000 for an All-Star selection.

“We're very pleased to have avoided the arbitration process, not just for this year, but also for the next two,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement released by the team. “Ryan is clearly one of the top power hitters and run producers in the major leagues and is a very important part of our championship club.”

And the constant headache of Ryan Howard arbitrations every year has finally ended. The Phillies are a young, home-grown team that has kept their core intact this off-season, with the only major loss being that of Pat Burrell, which should not have been a surprise to anyone. If I remember correctly, the person that the Phillies got to essentially replace him, Raul Ibanez, had a higher batting percentage last year than any of the Phillies. They've definitley made the right moves thus far (getting Ibanez, locking up Hamels and Howard, etc.), let's hope it translates into another World Series title!