Howard Wins

ESPN has reported that Ryan Howard has won his arbitration case and the Phillies will have to pay him $10 million for the 2008 season, the highest figure ever awarded to a victorious player and it ties the arbitration record of Alfonso Soriano in 2006.

The Phillies were previously 7-0 in prior arbitration cases.

So, what does this mean for the future. I'd like think that Ryan Howard understands that from a business perspective and the past, $7 million, was relatively the correct number that the Phillies should have offered. Personally, I think if they offered closer to $8 million, or at least higher than Miguel Cabrera's $7.4 million, the backlash would likely not be as bad. Ryan Howard has never given any real signs that he'd like to remain with the Phillies after 2011.

Also, no player has ever been awarded this type of money, with this little of service time. There is no map for the type of long-term money he'll likely see. My prediction is that if he is not signed to a long-term deal before next season, the Phillies will likely keep him through 2011 and then move him.