MIAMI - Ryan Howard's future with the Phillies has long been a popular topic. The aging slugger is now one of only two holdovers from the 2008 World Series championship team. His decline in production and albatross of a contract have rendered him untradeable.
So how does incoming team president Andy MacPhail view Howard's future? MacPhail, set to officially succeed Pat Gillick after the season, said Tuesday that he anticipates Howard will be in Clearwater, Fla., with the Phillies come spring training.
Howard, who turns 36 in November, will be in the final year of the five-year, $125 million contract extension he signed in April 2010.