What The Hell Is Wrong With The Phillies?

Sheer mind-numbing stupidity is what ya call it: Salary dispute could be first chapter in Howard's end

The Philadelphia Phillies face the first big challenge in their attempt to build a long-term relationship with powerful first baseman Ryan Howard.

In the past two seasons, Howard led the majors in homers with 105 and RBIs with 285. Among National Leaguers, Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals was second for homers in that span with 81, and Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies was second in RBIs with 251.

Howard did the damage at a super-bargain rate. Without the leverage of arbitration rights, Howard was paid $1.255 million for the past two seasons combined. The system dictated that. Howard's service time meant more than his performance.

That changes now.

Howard has the hammer of arbitration rights, and the Phillies will pay. How this plays out will go a long ways to determining what happens with Howard and the club.

The Phillies and Howard face the largest gap of the arbitration class: $3 million. Howard asked for $10 million, which would match the record award if he goes to a hearing and wins.

The Phillies offered $7 million, the same the Cardinals offered Pujols in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The Cardinals avoided a hearing by working out a long-term deal with Pujols.

How do the Phillies argue against Howard?

There is no way to argue against Howard and not look retarded. What you do is sit down with Howard, open your checkbook, and say "How much for seven more years?"

"Please."

No wonder Phillies fans spend so much time booing.