The Phillies and slugging first baseman Ryan Howard are likely to butt heads at the arbitration table again next month.

Why? The two sides are further apart this year then they were at this time last year in determining what the former MVP should be paid.

Today was the deadline for arbitration eligible players and teams to submit salary figures. Howard's camp is asking for $18 million; the Phillies are offering $14 million.

Last winter, the first year Howard was eligible for arbitration, he asked for $10 million while the team offered $7 million. The case went to an arbitrator, who ruled in favor of Howard.

Howard, who led all major league players in home runs (48) and RBIs (146) last season, submitted the third-highest figure in a salary arbitration case since the process began in 1974.

Roger Clemens set the record when he asked for $22 million from the Houston Astros in 2005. Four years earlier, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter submitted a claim for $18.5 million.

While the saga with Howard will likely continue, the Phillies took care of two other arbitration-eligible players. They came to one-year agreements with Joe Blanton ($5.475) and with Shane Victorino ($3.125).

Like Howard, two others remain unsettled.

Jayson Werth requested $4 million, while the Phils countered with $3 million. Chad Durbin submitted $1.95 million, the Phils are offering $1.35 million.