Amaro: Phillies will not release Ryan Howard, if they can't trade him
While the Phillies have had some issues trying to trade veteran first baseman Ryan Howard, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. made it very clear that the team is not just going to give away the 35-year-old slugger.
"The fact that we’ve been so public makes people think we’ll release him. That won’t happen. He’ll play for the Phillies if we don’t trade him. And hopefully he will play his butt off," Amaro said Saturday, according to FOX Sports.
"He has things to prove. He’s finally healthy. He’s preparing himself really well . . . (A trade) is best for both parties, but there is a point of diminishing returns. At some point, we’re going to keep him, let him produce. Someone will have a need for him. He may be worth more later in the year or next year."
Howard is under contract through the 2016 season. He is set to make $25 million the next two seasons. He also has a $23 million team option for 2017, which includes a $10 million buyout.
According to ESPN, Howard can block trades to 20 teams. The nine teams not on his no-trade list are Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox.
