yes, but the Angels have to also think about long term. If they give him what Howard got. Then later on, he can come back and say in Arb 1 that he wants Howard money, you even thought I should get Howard money after my first year of mlb service.
In the first year of arbitration, Howard asked for $18 million. Phillies were at $14 million. They eventually settled for a 3 year, $54 million contract. This was just to buy out his arbitration years.