BASEBALL
Howard seeking $18M from Philadelphia Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.
Philadelphia offered $14 million to the 2006 NL MVP, a raise of $4 million. Howard had 48 homers and 146 RBI last year for the World Series champions.
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. Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder ($8 million) had the second-highest request this year.
• Forty-two players reached one-year agreements Tuesday just before figures were exchanged. Among them were Seattle lefthander Erik Bedard ($7.75 million), Pittsburgh first baseman Adam LaRoche ($7.05 million), Yankees outfielders Xavier Nady ($6.55 million) and Melky Cabrera ($1.4 million), and Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon ($6.25 million).
• Former Twins righthander Juan Rincon agreed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. Rincon was 3-3 with a 5.86 ERA in 47 appearances last season for the Twins and Cleveland.
• Shortstop Jason Bartlett, 29, and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a one-year contract worth $1,981,250.
• All-Star catcher Russell Martin and reliever Jonathan Broxton avoided arbitration and agreed to one-year contracts worth $3.9 million and $1.825 million, respectively, with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
COLLEGES
Stanford considering major athletics cuts Stanford's athletic department, projecting a $5 million loss in revenue over the next three years, is considering cutting staff and eliminating some teams, The Associated Press has learned.
