Howard seeks $18M in arbitration

The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman,Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.

Philadelphia offered $14 million to the 2006 NL MVP, who is not eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season. Howard had a major league-leading 48 homers and 146 RBIs last year, helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980. Before the season, he was awarded $10 million in arbitration rather than Philadelphia's $7 million offer.

Houston pitcher Roger Clemens set the record for highest request in arbitration at $22 million in 2005. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is second at $18.5 million in 2001.

Howard's $4 million gap was the largest among players who exchanged figures with their teams. Tampa Bay and third baseman Willy Aybar had the smallest margin at $150,000, with the player asking for $1.05 million and the club offering $900,000.

Meanwhile, 111 players filed for arbitration last Thursday, just 46 exchanged figures with their teams. That group included Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis, who has a tentative agreement on a $66 million, six-year deal.

Markakis, Madson get big deals

Nick Markakis reached a preliminary agreement on a $66 million, six-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, meanwhile Ryan Madson struck a $12 million, three-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies as players and teams rushed Monday to settle salary arbitration cases.

The deals with Markakis and Madson were contingent on the players passing physicals, a pair of separate people familiar with the agreements said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreements weren't final.

Markakis' deal, the second-richest in team history, covers three years he would have been eligible for arbitration and the first three after he would have been eligible for free agency. Markakis hit a career-high .306 with 20 homers and 87 RBIs for the Orioles last season, his third in the majors. He played in 157 games, drew 99 walks and led AL outfielders with 17 assists.

Madson was 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 76 games in 2008. The right-hander played a key role in a strong bullpen, helping the Phillies win their first World Series championship since 1980. Madson finished the season as the primary setup man for closer Brad Lidge, who was 48-for-48 in save chances, including the postseason.

The deal calls for Madson to receive a $1 million signing bonus, $2 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. He would have been eligible for free agency after next season, and the deal is unusual because many of agent Scott Boras' clients opt to become free agents before agreeing to long-term contracts.