This afternoon prize-winning slugger Ryan Howard goes to arbitration with the Phillies. Howard wants $10 million, the Phils are offering $7 million. It's uncharted territory with Howard, who is eligible for arbitration after just 2+ years. But he's a special case, having won NL Rookie of the Year his first year and MVP his next. Cal Ripken, Jr., is the only other major leaguer to have done that. Last year, hampered early by injuries, Howard still hit 47 homers and knocked in 136. So give the guy what he wants, say the fans. Howard himself is in his own words "chilling". Yesterday he told reporters that he wanted to be "young James," in a reference to Jimmy Rollins. "I'm going to go out and try to buy his shoes, if they're in the store. I just want to be like Jimmy."
If, by that, Howard means another MVP year, HOF 3rd baseman Mike Schmidt has thrown out a little prophecy of his own. The other day he said he thought left fielder Pat Burrell had an MVP year in him. If so, what better year than 2008, the final year of his contract? Will Burrell be with the Phils past this year? If Pat has his way, the answer is yes. He loves the organization and loves playing in Philadelphia. And he maybe won over his loudmouthed critics (if they have a brain) after carrying the team last year when Howard floundered and Utley was injured. But his lack of speed and subsequent lack of outfield defense will probably doom an extension with the Phillies. The American League is no doubt a better fit for him. What a pity, though. When it comes to offense, despite some rocky times, Burrell has been consistently above average. At 31, he is now the elder statesman of those players who came up with the Phillies.
The acquisition of Pedro Feliz at 3rd base makes Wes Helms the odd man out. I hope the Phillies keep him as a pinchhitter. They could use a good righty off the bench and I'd hate to see him traded to the Mets, who are definitely in the market for one.
Speaking of money, some seats in the Nationals' new park in D.C. are going for $300 a game. In NY next year, both the Yankees and Mets will reportedly have seats at $1000 a pop. It stinks.
