Howard, Phillies agree on three-year contract

PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard has agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies — avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration hearing.

Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, 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.

"I'm happy to have this done and to know that I'll be in Philadelphia for at least another three years," Howard said Sunday.

Howard will earn $15 million this season, $19 million next year and $20 million in 2011.

The 29-year-old first baseman has less than four years service time in the majors, so he wasn't eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season. Now the two sides won't have to worry about any more arbitration hearings.

Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974. Philadelphia offered him $14 million, a raise of $4 million. A hearing was scheduled for later this week.

— AP