I agree Howard is done, but...

[Irish George]

...a big part of hastening his demise is nobody hitting behind him. plunking Utley to get to Howard, pitching to him with first base open but runners on late in a game...that stuff doesn't happen if there's a decent hitter behind him

[Two Gap Penetrator]

It would help, but.....

...it wouldn't solve the problem of Ryan Howard. God, remember the bottom of our batting order 7 years ago? There was no weakness. Power and speed up and down the whole thing. Ehhh the whole thing is so sad right now. Bums me out beyond belief.

[Joegrane]

...a big part of hastening his demise is nobody hitting behind him. plunking Utley to get to Howard, pitching to him with first base open but runners on late in a game...that stuff doesn't happen if there's a decent hitter behind him

Yes but that should also result in many walks not a large number of multi strike out games.