Howard Hits Biggest Homer

No ballpark can contain Ryan Howard. Neither can the courtroom.

Howard won his salary arbitration case when he was awarded $10 million, tying the mark set by Alfonso Soriano when he actually lost his case against the Nationals in 2006.

Why is this Howard's biggest homer? First, it gives the Phillies more incentive to lock up Howard with a long-term deal. If he has another Howard-like year, why bother going to arbitration and when you'll just have to pay him close to $15 million anyway?

Second, it just raised the bar by at least $3 million annually when Howard does negotiate a long-term deal. Before, he may have sought close to $15 million annually. Now, he'll probably seek closer to $20 million. Another MVP season inflates that number even more.

Finally, this was an amicable hearing, but let's face it. While the Phillies claim this hearing was more about determining a fair salary for a player with Howard's service time, not his performance, no player wants to sit in court year after year while his team argues that he doesn't deserve a certain dollar figure.

In a previous blog, I wrote that the Phillies were under no pressure to sign Howard long-term. I stand by that. They can finish this season under the terms of that deal with no problems and no hard feelings. After this season, it'll be time to pony up, and I have no doubt that the Phillies will do it. Sure, Howard emerged from the courtroom with a smile, but I that smile will lose some sparkle if they go to arbitration again.