Ryan Howard wants to play another season and he has a believer in one of his former managers.
On the same day that the Phillies ended their 13-year relationship with the 36-year-old first baseman by declining his 2017 option (see story), Charlie Manuel told CSN Philly that he thinks Howard still has a place in the league, specifically as a part-time player and designated hitter in the American League.
"For three, four, five years, might have been the best hitter in baseball, might have been arguably the best hitter in the National League," Manuel said. "He had a tremendous career. I still think he can play. I think as a DH and I think he can be a part-time player in the American League and hopefully a team in the American League will give him a chance because I think that's where his most value is and the most playing time for him is in that league and hopefully he'll do as well as I think he will."
As Howard's manager from 2005-13, Manuel watched the "Big Piece" go on a run of six consecutive seasons with at least 31 home runs and 108 RBIs. That impressive stretch was preceeded by his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2005 and began with his MVP season the subsequent year, when Howard posted a batting line of .313/.425/.659, hit 58 home runs and drove in 149 runs.
But the three years since Manuel left the Phillies' dugout have been the three worst full seasons of Howard's career, with this past season being the worst of them all, despite a strong second half. In 362 plate appearances, Howard hit .196/.257/.453 and struck out 114 times.
Despite the declining production and his turning 37, Howard has said that he wants to play in 2017. It's safe to assume that Howard's days of being an everyday first baseman are over, but, as Manuel noted, he could provide a team with power left-handed bat off the bench or an American League club with a designated hitter option from the left side of the plate.
A few months back, CSN Philly's Corey Seidman rolled out a trio of American League clubs who could potentially use Howard's services next season.