Ryan Howard, Phils Avoid Arbitration

Ryan Howard, who led the majors in HR and RBI last year, signed for three years with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies worth a reported $54 million. The $54 million averages out to $18 million per year for the rest of Ryan Howard's arbitration eligible years. Howard had requested $18 million, the Phillies had originally countered with $14 million, which had them both headed for an ugly arbitration. This signing avoids that, and puts the 29 year old in the fold for three more years. Howard was the 2005 Rookie of the Year and the 2006 MVP.