Breaking Down the $125 Million Man's Impact

Was Howard’s new deal worth it and what does it mean to guys like Jayson Werth?

Ryan Howard is now the second-highest paid position player in baseball after inking huge contract extension but could the Phillies be hurting their future by making their slugger the $125 million man?

First let’s see what the Phillies are paying $25 million a year for.

The former Rookie of the Year and MVP has averaged nearly 50 homers and 143 RBI a season since 2006. He led the league in RBI three times; homers twice; games played once and total bases once.

He has also led the league in the not-so favorable category of strikeouts in 2007. And, his production plummets late in games -- a career .234 batting average/.475 slugging percentage batter after the seventh inning compared to .287/.610 in the first three innings and .307/.641 in the middle innings.

There is a good reason for Howard’s lack of late-game production -- left-handed relief pitching. For his career Howard is a wretched .225/.442 against lefties while he blasts .307/.656 off righties. So teams nullify his production by bringing a left-hander in from the pen -- something that the Phillies will be dealing with for the next six years.

Also, Howard is 30 years old by the end of the deal (even without the Phillies picking up his option) he will be 36.

Basically the Phillies forked over a bunch of money to an aging slugger who has never been a consistent late-game contributor.

Many pundits agreed that it wasn’t a great deal for the Phightins, as pointed out by MLBTradeRumors.com.

“Based purely on the numbers, Howard's new contract is crazy,” said ESPN’s Rob Neyer.

Matthew Carruth at FanGraphs went even further in expressing his distaste for the deal.

“Say hello to baseball’s newest worst contract.”

Come on -- this isn't Albert Belle we're talking about.

But, the deal was also hailed by fans -- just look at the more than 80-percent of NBCPhiladelphia.com users “Thrilled” by Howard’s contract extension.

But worth it or not this deal is about more than just the Phillies’ first baseman. The big deal shelled over to Howard could spell trouble for the Phillies as they negotiate to keep around a soon-to-be free agent like outfielder Jayson Werth and core guys like shortstop Jimmy Rollins and pitcher Cole Hamels.

Does the fact that the Phillies wrapped up so much cash in a possibly diminishing slugger like Howard mean that they are less likely to fork over dough to keep other guys around?

Phillies.com writer Todd Zolecki wasn’t so sure that Howard's new deal meant Werth would be shown the door.

“I don't think (Monday's) deal means Werth is gone,” Zolecki said. “Now, if Werth wants a five-year, $100 million deal, yeah, the Phillies probably won't sign him to something like that. But if it's a fair deal -- the Roy Halladay, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins contract extensions seemed to work out for both parties -- then I see a chance at Werth sticking around.”

This deal, right or wrong, shows that the Phillies are no longer the cheapskates they were portrayed as for years during the 80s and 90s and even after delaing Cliff Lee during the offseason.

They looks now like they reward talent and will expand payroll to try to keep a winning team on the field.

Phillies fans should definitely rejoice about that.

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