According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly 'keeping an eye' on Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard this spring.
In January, the identities of the nine teams that the 2005 National League Rookie of the Year cannot block a trade to were revealed. They are as follows, as reported by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick:
A source familiar with Howard's contract told ESPN.com Monday that those nine teams are: the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox.
Crasnick further went on to speculate that trading Howard, 35, to either of these nine teams would prove to be difficult for two reasons.
The first reason is that most of these teams would not have the financial capability to take on the remainder of Howard's five-year, $125 million contract extension signed on April 26, 2010. Howard is due to earn $50 million, evenly distributed over the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The year thereafter in 2017, there is a team-option in his contract for $23 million, or otherwise a buyout for $10 million. Thus, he is due at least $60 million over the next three seasons.
Secondly, Crasnick believes that most of these teams would have no need for either a first baseman or designated hitter. Shortly after Crasnick's report was known, own Frank Klose broke-down the scenarios for each of the nine teams not protected under Howard's no-trade clause. At the time, he believed that the Orioles were one of two teams best-suited to acquire the slugger who has 334 home runs thus far in his 11-year career.
The Orioles currently have Delmon Young as their designated hitter, provided he passes a physical on Wednesday. Yep, that Delmon Young. Young is right-handed and the Orioles could use a left-handed option to compliment him. Young did play 29 games in the outfield for the Orioles last year, so there could be some extra room there.
First base is occupied by Chris Davis, so there is no room there. But if the price is right, Howard might be a fit in Baltimore.
Last season, Davis was suspended 25 games and missed the Orioles' entire postseason due to testing positive for amphetamine, which violates the league's drug policy. He will sit Opening Day this season, as just one game remains on his suspension.
In addition to earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2005, Howard was named the Most Valuable Player of the National League in 2006, and was also selected to three All Star games in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
The St. Louis, Missouri-native was named Most Valuable Player of the National League Championship Series in 2009 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .333 with two home runs, a double and triple each, and eight runs-batted-in.
After tearing his left Achilles at the conclusion of the 2011 National League Division Series against the Cardinals, many argue that Howard has never been the same since. Over the past three seasons, he has just 48 combined home runs over 304 games. In comparison, he had 58 home runs in 159 games during his MVP season in 2006.
Finally clear of his family financial dispute, he seeks a fresh start as he enters his 12th season as a Phillie. This Spring in five games, Howard has four hits over 13 at-bats to yield a .308 batting average.
Whether or not the Orioles, or any other team for that matter, takes a chance on Howard remains to be seen. This afternoon against the Orioles, he went 2-3 with one strikeout.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com.
