Phillies Notes: Howard earns 10-and-5 no-trade rights
MIAMI - Ryan Howard's major league service time reached 10 years Saturday, ensuring the longtime Phillies first baseman the same 10-and-5 no-trade rights afforded to second baseman Chase Utley.
MIAMI - Ryan Howard's major league service time reached 10 years Saturday, ensuring the longtime Phillies first baseman the same 10-and-5 no-trade rights afforded to second baseman Chase Utley.
While an achievement in itself, the significance of Howard's reaching 10 years in the majors, at least the last five with the same team, probably ends there. It is not believed his no-trade rights would be an obstacle to a deal if a trade partner was found, which is still a long shot considering his albatross of a contract and lack of productivity.
Howard entered the season owed $60 million over the next two years, abd through 79 at-bats he is hitting just .177 with a .380 slugging percentage, the same mark he compiled last season. His contract already allowed him to block trades to all but nine teams. His list had included nine American League clubs, according to multiple reports.
"I don't think it's a big deal," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said of Howard's 10-and-5 status and its effect on a potential trade.
"It's a big deal for him, for two reasons: I think he should be recognized for [having] the most games played at first base in our franchise. That's a pretty awesome feat, No. 1. And No. 2, obviously he's been a long-standing member of this club and has had a great deal to do with the success."
Howard, 35, has not publicly addressed the possibility of a trade this season. He declined an interview request before Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Marlins. "Today is just a day of baseball," he said before taking the field for the team's pregame stretch.
Buchanan demoted
The Phillies optioned struggling No. 3 starter David Buchanan to triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 25-year-old righthander lost each of his five April starts while recording an 8.76 ERA that, as of Saturday night, ranked last among 110 qualified major leaguers.
Righthander Chad Billingsley, ready to join the Phillies rotation after working his way back from a pair of elbow surgeries, will fill Buchanan's spot for Tuesday's game in Atlanta. Elvis Araujo, the hard-throwing 6-foot-6 lefthander who impressed in spring training but has struggled at double-A Reading, was recalled to join the bullpen.
"I feel for the young man because I believe that he turned a corner a little bit, it seemed, at the end of last year and during the course of the spring. But this is baseball and this happens," Amaro said of Buchanan.
"It's happened to a lot of players, where it hasn't worked out exactly how we all would like it to work out. But I fully expect him to go down there, do his work, and get back. At least that's what we hope."
- Jake Kaplan
