Ryan Howard agreed on sunday to a three year $54 million contract thus avoiding arbitration.  The Phillies avoided arbitration with all players who were eligible for such.  In order to do so they increased payroll by over $30 million as compared to last year!   In my humble opinion the signing of Howard is a great thing for both sides, albeit no ill effect was noticable  last season from the arbitration hearing I had doubts that an annual ritual would have not been adverse to both sides.

The $54 million dollar three year deal will be paid $15 million for this season, $19 million for next and $20 million for 2011.  If  Big Brown continues his consistent pace of home run and RBI production it is my opinion he could have claimed in the $22 to $25 million dollar area for 2011, this deal is fair for both in that it gives Ryan security of knowing what he will be paid and the Phillies do not have the uncertainity of arbitration……. it allows all to concentrate on the task at hand, defending a championship and attempting to win more!   Good job Ruben Amaro and staff!

Chatter

Rich Aurillia apparently has a minor league contract offer from the San Francisco Giants and is considering accepting it.  The Phillies seem intent on waiting out Nomar Garciaparra in hopes that he decides to play this season as a right handed bat off the bench for the Fightins.  Rumblings also are that the Florida Marlins have a sincere interest in Chris Coste and that the Phillies may be receptive to a deal pending how Ronny Paulino looks this spring.  I am a huge Coste fan so I indeed hope that he sticks with the Fightins!   Rumors also are that the Atlanta Braves have pulled  the offer they made to left handed reliever Will Ohman.  Ohman reportedly had been looking for a two year contract in the $8 million dollar range, the Phillies and Mets have both seemingly expressed interest but at a much lesser payrate.  Ohman would be a nice addition to the pen especially in light of J.C. Romero’s suspension for the first 50 games of the season.   Pitchers and Catchers at weeks end, can’t wait!