When the Phillies signed Ryan Howard to a five-year $125 million contract extension in 2010, it was a move made in hopes of locking up one of the best sluggers in recent past for the Phillies. Though the $125 million may not have been 100% deserved, Howard's numbers were very impressive before signing the extension. He won Rookie of the Year in 2005, MVP in 2006 and was a three-time All-Star. Three out of the four years prior to signing his extension, Howard led Major League Baseball in RBI's and had four 40+ home run seasons.
2011 was the year that changed everything. In the Phillies final at-bat against the Cardinals in the playoffs, Howard ruptured his Achillies tendon and has never been the same since, drawing criticism from fans, media and analysts about his decline in play over the years. This offseason, Ruben Amaro was very open that the Phillies would be better without Howard moving forward and that a change of scenery would be for the best for both sides, especially if it meant him going to a team with a designated hitting need. Unfortunately, there haven't been many serious suitors for Howard with about $60 million remaining on his contract. That may change soon though. Anthony Castrovince of Sports on Earth reports that the Phillies would be willing to eat a large chunk of the remaining salary in order to move the Big Piece.
Howard is not, will not be and arguably never was the guy worthy of a $125 million extension in 2010, and the Phillies acknowledged as much in trade talks this winter, telling (uninterested) teams they're willing to swallow a significant sum of the $60 million still owed to Howard over the next two years. Word is, the team would be willing to take on somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million.
Howard can block trades to any team with the exception of the Tigers, Angels, Royals, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox. None of these teams are desparately in need of a player like Howard, but the Orioles have been the most recent team off of that list that have been keeping an eye on him this spring.
Last year was not an ideal one for Howard, who was completely healthy for the first time since his career-altering injury. Financial issues with his family may have played a part in his performance, but either way, Howard ended up leading the league in strikeouts and being benched for Darin Ruf and Maikel Franco at different points through the season. He hit just .223. Though last year was his first season with a clean bill of health, this marks the first offseason the 35-year-old can go back to his normal routine.
"When your legs are finally strong, you can go back to the routines and workouts and baseball activity-type stuff that you were doing before," Howard said. "I'm just taking it one day at a time right now, but I'm here, and I'm prepared. So let's see what happens."
So far this spring for the Phillies, Howard has hit two homers and driven in six runs while striking out 11 times in 34 at-bats. He has not drawn a walk.
With Maikel Franco struggling this spring and Darin Ruf in the outfield mix, unless Howard is dealt prior to Opening Day, he will more than likely take the field as the 2015 starting first baseman. How long he stays in that position remains to be seen.
Howard's contract extension kicked in during the 2012 season and runs through 2016. In 2017, when he's 37 years old, there's a $23 million team option or a $10 million buyout.
