CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Ryan Howard won his salary arbitration case against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday when he was awarded $10 million, the highest figure given a victorious player.
The 2006 NL MVP, who had been offered $7 million by the Phillies, became the first player to win in six arbitration cases this season.
Howard tied the record for the highest salary awarded in arbitration, received by Alfonso Soriano in his losing case against the Washington Nationals in 2006. Soriano had sought $12 million.
"I'm sure he's very pleased," Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "This has been a negotiation that has been very amicable and very professional. It's just a part of the process."
Los Angeles Angels reliever Francisco Rodriguez will either tie the arbitration record or break it after going to a hearing Thursday. K-Rod, eligible for free agency after this season, asked a panel of Goldberg, Elizabeth Neumeier and Steven Wolf for a raise from $7.1 million to $12.5 million. The Angels argued for $10 million.
Howard was expected to speak to reporters after practice. He was in an upbeat mood following the hearing Wednesday.
Howard batted .268 with 47 homers and 136 RBI last season in what was considered a down year for him. In 2006 he had 58 homers, 149 RBI and a .313 average, one of the best seasons by a second-year player.
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| Howard belted 105 homers the past two seasons. (US Presswire) |
The case was decided by arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Robert Bailey and Jack Clarke. The panel listened for nearly five hours as each side presented its arguments Wednesday in St. Petersburg.
Howard was represented by his agent, Casey Close. Houston Astros president Tal Smith, who represents many teams in these cases, handled the Phillies' side.
Amaro negotiated with Close right until the hearing began, but couldn't agree on a deal. Howard can't become a free agent until after the 2011 season. It's likely the Phillies will try to sign him to a long-term contract much sooner.
"We negotiated right up to the courthouse steps with Ryan in a variety of ways and unfortunately we couldn't get it done," Amaro said.
Owners previously defeated pitchers Brian Fuentes of Colorado, Jose Valverde of Houston and Chien-Ming Wang of the New York Yankees, along with Washington infielder Felipe Lopez and Astros infielder Mark Loretta.
Two players remain in arbitration: Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez and New York Mets pitcher Oliver Perez.
Philadelphia hadn't gone to arbitration since defeating Travis Lee in 2001 and had been 7-0 in arbitration decisions.
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