Heard in the Cheap Seats

With Ryan Howard’s arbitration hearing rapidly approaching the Philadelphia Phillies were able to avoid the public spectacle by agreeing to a 3-year $54 million deal with the slugger.  The average annual salary of the deal is $18 million—the figure that Howard sought in arbitration and $4 million above the Phillies initial offer.

The deal works well for both sides.  Howard was likely to earn that much money, if not more through arbitration in the coming years but would have to go through the bitter arbitration process each time.  It also provides the Phillies with the security of knowing Howard’s payroll number heading into the offseason for the next two seasons.

For Howard, this gives the stability and security of a three-year deal, something he has craved since entering the league.  Howard has always had a chip on his shoulder due to his late arrival in the big leagues.  Since he burst onto the scene, he has been on a quest to make back the money he perceives he lost while he was playing in the minors under the shadow of Jim Thome.  With this deal, Ryan Howard was able to earn a big chunk back of whatever money he may have lost.

What do you think—smart deal by the Phillies or giving in too easily to the demands of a franchise player?