Phillies Reportedly Extend Ryan Howard for 5 Years

[Fritz]

They're both Jewish Davids.

[Bobbob1313]

You've been a negative Nancy lately with these long term deals.

I think MK7 just doesn't like anything. He's very negative.

[emkayseven]

i just don't like longterm deals in general, but especially when they're high dollar for a player that isn't worthy of it. pujols is worthy of this contract. utley is worthy of this contract. ryan howard isn't a gold glover, he doesn't steal bases, he just drives in runs and he's going to be in his 30s for this contract. he's been worth roughly $20 million a year his first 4 years, no way is he going to be worth more going well into his 30s

[Bobbob1313]

I don't love Ryan Howard, but he does what he does very well, and there's value in what he does.

If he was a free agent this offseason, he'd get that money. So he is worthy of it.

That $10m buyout in 2017 is a fucking albatross though. I think he'll be pretty good for most of the contract, but either $23m for his age 37 season or $10m to not pay is pretty crappy.

Also, with how relatively cheap they've got Utley until 2013 ("Only" 15 mil per year until 2013, a relative bargain) and how many expiring contracts they have coming up, it's not terrible.

[Party]

$20 million is the new $17 million. In 2017, unless MLB has an abysmal 7 years, $23 million will be equivalent to $12 million.

[Swifty]

My only gripe would be they paid the free-agent going rate for him, and unless they've gotten wind he doesn't like Philly and wants to bolt closer to home, I see no reason to give him the years and the money.

[Party]

People in Philly don't like Philly.

[Chewford]

That's why Big Willie Style moved with his auntie and uncle in Bel-Air.