The Phillies are expected to offer Ryan Howard a contract in the neighborhood of $1 million for the coming season, which would be a record for any player not arbitration eligible, but the Phillies would be smart to start discussing a long-term contract as soon as possible, because Howard doesn't want it to carry over into the season. "I would rather it not because you don't want to lose that focus," said Howard. "I don't want to have all these questions about contractual stuff in the season when you should be focused on playing ball."