Ryan Howard spoke anyway.

Even though the Phillies P.R. staff and his agent, Casey Close, nixed a formal media gathering with the arbitration-eligible first baseman, Howard spoke anyway at his locker about everything - his weight (he's slimmed down), his need for more stolen bases, his defense and, yes, even his contract - after his daily workout.

Well, he talked sparingly about the contract. Howard will likely go to an arbitration hearing Wednesday when it will be decided if he'll be paid the $10 million he's asking for the upcoming season, or the $7 million the Phillies have offered.

A good-natured, smiling Howard was in very good spirits. If there's any ill will, it surely didn't show as he fielded nearly eight minutes of questions.

His response to one line of questioning - "Who's calling the shots here? Your parents? Your agent? - drew plenty of laughter.

"Who’s speculating that?" Howard said.

"A lot of people in Philly," the reporter said.

"Where’s the speculation coming from?" Howard asked.

"Who’s calling the shots?" the reporter answered, with a question.

"I’m trying to find out where (or) who’s speculating about the speculation," Howard said, deflecting the query and igniting the laughing.


Howard say he's 10-15 pounds lighter than the weight he reported at last spring. To his credit, Howard didn't seem bothered in the least with his contract status.

"Yeah, then I won’t have to talk to you guys about it," a smiling Howard said when asked if he was anxious or looking forward to Wednesday's arbitration. "You know, like I said I’m down here having fun; I’m not distracted by anything, I’m not thinking about anything else but just getting out here and getting my game right, getting ready for opening day."