PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard just wanted to concentrate on baseball this spring. No squabbles over his contract. No daily questions about his future.
The big slugger got his wish — and a hefty raise, too.
Howard and the Phillies agreed to a $54 million, three- year contract Sunday, avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration hearing.
The 2006 National League MVP will earn $15 million this season, $19 million next year and $20 million in 2011.
“The things that have happened prior with Ryan, it was really nothing adversarial, although I know with some people it was depicted that way,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “We just agreed to disagree. It didn’t make us love Ryan any less, and it didn’t make Ryan love us any less.”
Howard led the majors with 48 homers and 146 RBIs last season while helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980. He batted just .251, struck out 199 times and made 19 errors at first base, but also was runner-up to Albert Pujols for MVP.
Braves await Glavine’s answer
ATLANTA — The Braves have made an offer to veteran pitcher Tom Glavine, but the 300-game winner hasn’t decided whether to accept a significant cut in pay.
With the start of spring training a week away, general manager Frank Wren said the Braves recently offered a contract to Glavine, who is hoping to return for at least one more season after going down last year with the first serious injury (elbow and shoulder surgery) of his career.
Footnotes.
The Rangers have agreed to a minor-league contract with center fielder Andruw Jones, who was released by the Dodgers last month.
• Utilityman Mark Teahen and the Royals agreed to a one-year contract worth $3,575,000 and avoided salary arbitration.
• Left-hander Scott Olsen has agreed to a $2.8 million, one-year contract with the Nationals to avoid arbitration.
The Associated Press
