By: Tim Kelly, Managing Editor 
Though I advocated earlier this season that Ryan Howard announce 2016 as his final season — a move that would turn his otherwise negative season into some semblance of a farewell tour, it doesn't appear that Ryan Howard intends to retire following what will almost assuredly be his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball says that Howard, like two of his former teammates, hopes to continue playing after his time with the Phillies:
Ryan Howard’s days as a starting first baseman in Philly are numbered, but friends say he would very much like the chance to be given an opportunity elsewhere next year, a la Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.
Unlike Utley and Howard, it's not entirely clear if Howard would have anything to offer another team after the Phillies exercise his $10 million buyout for 2017. Howard is batting just .151 and has a 31.7 strikeout percentage. He also would be limited to playing in the American League, given that he can't field the position of first base.
Though it's not a lock, it seems within the realm of possibility that Howard would get at least a minor league offer (with an invite to big league Spring Training) this off-season. The problem is it would be hard to justify a team keeping Howard into the regular season. He's not going to be able to play the field, probably would be most effective as a designated hitter when he only played three or four times a week and even then, would be coming off of a season where he likely hit under .200. Howard may not intend for 2016 to be his final season, but it's entirely possible that he ends up being forced to accept that reality.
