Howard’s arbitration win is worth $10 million

Ryan’s Howard’s bank account just skyrocketed.

Howard won his salary arbitration case against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday when he was awarded $10 million, the highest figure given a victorious player.

Howard made $900,000 last year and $355,000 during his most-valuable-player season in 2006. The Phillies offered $7 million, but Howard became the first player to win in six arbitration cases this season.

Howard tied the record for the highest salary awarded in arbitration, received by Alfonso Soriano in his losing case against the Washington Nationals in 2006. Soriano had sought $12 million.

Gary Sheffield of the Detroit Tigers stirred things up by calling Scott Boras, his former agent, a “bad person” in part for going after money the All-Star says he doesn’t deserve.

The dispute stems from the $39-million, three-year contract Sheffield signed in 2003 with the New York Yankees.

Sheffield declined to comment on the specifics of the grievance, but the designated hitter has said he represented himself in negotiating his contract with the Yankees. Boras has said Sheffield agreed to let him represent the outfielder when his contract with the Atlanta Braves ran out.

Former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra said he’s looking forward to fighting a lawsuit,brought by an accounting firm that claims he owes at least $111,000, because he wants people to stop trying to rip off ballplayers. “Did they actually think I would pay that much for a tax return? That’s insane,” Dykstra said.

After a lengthy and often-contentious debate, Miami-Dade County commissioners -- some doing so grudgingly -- voted 9-3 to approve a basic plan for a $515-million, retractable-roof stadium for the Florida Marlins that would open in time for the 2011 season. City commissioners approved the agreement by a 4-1 vote several hours earlier.

Tickets for baseball’s season-opening series between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics in Japan have sold out.

Tickets for the March 25-26 games at the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome went on sale Feb. 9.

Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes was given an eight-year contract extension through 2015 along with team President Derrick Hall. . . . Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the Houston Astros agreed to a $2-million, one-year contract. . . . Right-hander Josh Fogg agreed to a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds. . . . Outfielder Jason Tyner has signed a minor league contract with Cleveland and will report to the Indians’ spring training facility in a few days.