The Philadelphia Phillies are desparately trying to offload slugger Ryan Howard via trade this offseason, and the New York Yankees are one of the teams specified in Howard's contract that the veteran first baseman can't block a trade to.
Under the terms of Howard's five-year, $125 million deal, the former NL Rookie of the Year and NL MVP can block trades to 20 of Major League Baseball's 30 teams.
Per ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, Howard can't block a trade to the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles or Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees aren't currently in need of a high-priced first baseman/DH, especially with Howard's recent downtick in production along with a rash of injuries. However, with Howard scheduled to make $25 million in 2015 & 2016 (along with a $10 million buyout or $23 million club option for 2017), New York stands as one of the few teams on that list that have the deep pockets necessary to swing a deal.
If Howard remains with the Phillies through Opening Day and starts swinging the bat with authority again, he's an option sitting out there if the Yankees' roster construction presents a need down the road.
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