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Howard Asking For $18M

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2009

NEW YORK - Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.

Philadelphia offered $14 million to the 2006 NL MVP, a raise of $4 million. Howard hit 48 homers and had 146 RBIs last year, helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980.

Houston pitcher Roger Clemens set the record for highest request in arbitration at $22 million in 2005. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is second at $18.5 million in 2001.

Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder had the second-highest request this year at $8 million. In arbitration for the first time, he was offered $6 million, up from $670,000 last year.

Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins was third at $7.95 million. The Rockies offered a raise from $4.44 million to $6.65 million.

Forty-two players reached one-year agreements Tuesday just before the exchange.

While 111 players filed for arbitration Thursday, only 46 exchanged figures with their teams. Among them were Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis, who has a tentative agreement on a $66 million, six-year deal.

For cases that don't settle, hearings will be scheduled for the first 21 days of February. Only eight of 110 players who filed last year went to hearings, and clubs won six. The average increase for those who filed last year was 120 percent.

ASTROS: Pitcher Brandon Backe and Houston agreed to a $1.55 million, one-year contract, a raise of $550,000.

BREWERS: Right-hander Seth McClung and Milwaukee agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,662,500.

MARINERS: Pitcher Erik Bedard and Seattle agreed to a $7.75 million, one-year contract that gave him a raise of $750,000 and avoided salary arbitration.

MARLINS: The campaign to bring the Marlins a new ballpark in South Florida has stalled again.

Votes by Miami and Miami-Dade commissioners that could lead to the new stadium have been delayed, in part because of the holiday season and Tuesday's presidential inauguration.

City and county officials are now expected to vote on the issue next month.

METS: Right fielder Ryan Church and New York avoided salary arbitration, agreeing on a $2.8 million, one-year contract. New York also struck a $575,000, one-year deal with reserve outfielder Angel Pagan, who had been eligible for arbitration.

ORIOLES: Outfielder Luke Scott agreed to a $2.4 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

PIRATES: First baseman Adam LaRoche bypassed arbitration by agreeing to a $7.05 million, one-year contract.

Pittsburgh also agreed to one-year deals with left-handers Zach Duke ($2.2 million) and John Grabow ($2.3 million), and right-hander Tyler Yates ($1.3 million).

RED SOX: All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon and Boston agreed to a $6.25 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration.

Left-hander Javier Lopez agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.35 million.

Boston has not gone to arbitration since Theo Epstein became general manager.

Also, the Red Sox traded right-hander David Aardsma to the Mariners for 20-year-old lefty Fabian Williamson.

TIGERS: Catcher Gerald Laird and pitchers Edwin Jackson, Joel Zumaya and Bobby Seay agreed to one-year contracts, while right-hander Justin Verlander was unable to settle and swapped proposed figures with the team in salary arbitration.

Jackson, obtained from Tampa Bay during the winter meetings, was 14-11 with a 4.42 ERA in 32 starts for the Rays. He also can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 185, 190, 195 and 200 innings.

YANKEES: Right fielder Xavier Nady agreed to a $6.55 million, one-year contract, and center fielder Melky Cabrera accepted a $1.4 million, one-year deal shortly after exchanging proposed arbitration figures with the team.

Nady, who made $3.59 million last year, was eligible for salary arbitration and can become a free agent after next season. Acquired from Pittsburgh in July, he hit a combined .305 with 25 homers and 97 RBIs.

Cabrera's salary is more than triple the $461,200 he made last year.

IGUCHI GOES HOME: Infielder Tadahito Iguchi returned to Japanese baseball, signing a three-year deal with Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines. Iguchi, who spent four seasons in the majors with the White Sox, Phillies and Padres, will earn an annual salary of $1.9 million plus incentives, the Nikkansports newspaper reported.

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