Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974. The team offered him $14 million, a raise of $4 million.
Howard led the majors with 48 homers and 146 RBIs last season, and was runner-up to the Cardinals’ Albert Pujols for NL MVP. But he batted just .251 and struck out 199 times.
Roger Clemens has the record for highest request when he asked for $22 million from the Astros in 2005. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is second at $18.5 million in 2001.
Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder had the second-highest request this year at $8 million.
Among the players reaching agreement before arbitration were Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon ($6.25 million), Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard ($7.75 million), Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino ($3.12 million), Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche ($7.05 million), Yankees outfielders Xavier Nady ($6.65 million) and Melky Cabrera ($1.4 million), Dodgers catcher Russell Martin ($3.9 million) and reliever Jonathan Broxton ($1.82 million), and Padres closer Heath Bell ($1.25 million).
*The city of Detroit has granted preliminary approval to a non-profit group’s plans to preserve the remaining portion of historic Tiger Stadium. The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy wants to develop the old ballpark as a commercial and community space at a cost of $27 million.
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
