Schilling in '08?

by argo0 on Jan 29, 2007 11:45 AM EST

[editor's note, by Randy Booth] I just read the story on the wire:

Curt Schilling said Monday he will not retire at the end of the 2007 season as previously indicated and plans to pitch for the Boston Red Sox in 2008.

The 40-year-old Schilling made his comments on WEEI-AM radio and confirmed them to The Associated Press.

The right-hander's contract with the Red Sox ends after the 2007 season, but he said he was in discussions for an extension. If he can't work out a deal in Boston, he will pitch for another team _ but not the New York Yankees.

"I'm in discussions with the Red Sox, we had talked last week and there's a lot going on obviously right now, but where I'm going to play beyond 2007 ... I hope it's Boston," he told the radio station. "This is where I want to play and in the days leading up to spring training we'll figure it out one way or the other. If I go into this season without a contract from the Red Sox then I will go out and find a home for 2008."

Schilling told the station he decided to play beyond the 2007 season after discussions with his family.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

Schilling will be a free agent after this year. His 2007 salary is $13 million. The questions are what he's worth in 2008, and whether the Sox should make an effort to extend his contract during Spring Training (or at least before he becomes an FA). Matsuzaka, Beckett, Lester and Papelbon are all under contract for 2008, and Wakefield can be if we want him. Furthermore, there's a decent chance that one or more of the minor league starters could be ready by then.

Poll

What's Schilling worth to the Red Sox in 2008?

Nothing. Curt will always be part of Red Sox lore, but by 2008 it'll be time to turn the page toward the future.

1 votes

$5 million -- the only way Curt should be on the team is if he takes a significant hometown discount.

1 votes

$5 million, plus incentives

2 votes

$10 million

6 votes

$15 million

8 votes

18 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Re: Schilling in '08?

You pay the man $15M for 1 year if he wants to come back. The pitching market has escalated since his current contract was signed, and you pay more for a shorter contract.

If Schilling is effective his year, you keep him on and delay one of your prospects.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 29, 2007 10:05 AM EST reply actions

Re: Schilling in '08?

Atleast this mean he wont be running for office

Get your Yankees Suck - Japanese shirts now: http://www.cafepress.com/yankeessuckjap

by jsnvaritek33 on Jan 29, 2007 11:48 AM EST reply actions

Re: Schilling in '08?

Randy,

I was informed 9 days ago that Schilling was going to sign a $15MM deal for 2008. There has been additional information that added credibility.

My Fake Teams post

by Fake Teams @ Over the Monster on Jan 29, 2007 2:52 PM EST reply actions

Re: Schilling in '08?

I'm really happy to hear this and I hope that Schil will continue to be a part of the Sox rotation for a few years to come as long as he's still effective. He's a gamer and I look forward to seeing the '04 hero - rather than an overpaid free agent - pitch for us in '08.

by soxaholic on Jan 29, 2007 2:58 PM EST reply actions

Re: Schilling in '08?

Color me not surprised. :)

Anyway, I think it would be better for both sides to wait for a little while. I don't think Schilling should take it as an insult that the Sox FO might want to see some starts from him in '07 to try to gauge his future effectiveness.

This also would allow Bucholz and Bowden some time to tear through AA and make the FO think about their availability for '08. A rotation of Matsuzaka/Papelbon/Lester/Beckett/and "anybody" should be more than fine in '08 as long as they all mature (which is certainly not guaranteed) as pitchers. This is all...somewhat complicated by Wakefield's status. If he wants to pitch in '08 (and doesn't neccessarily result in a re-signing of 'Belli) then I would let him.

I also must agree with SoxDevil. Schilling's market value as a FA in '08 (assuming a solid season this year) will probably be about $15M/1yr. I do think he'd be willing to give the Sox a bit of a "hometown discount" to somewhere in the $10-13M range.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Jan 29, 2007 3:39 PM EST reply actions

Re: Schilling in '08?

I think Schilling sees '08 as his Hall of Fame insurance. I like how open Schilling is, but I find him very hard to like, thanks to his...different political perspective from mine. I also feel his repurtation as a workhorse is somewhat skewed. He absolutely can give us 200 innings, but hasn't been the 8-9 inning guy advertised in Winter '03. Considering that was the knock on Pedro, yet Pedro has been far better from pitch 90 on than Schilling, it still sticks in my craw a little. Okay, so pedro is sitting until August, but still.
Schilling fronting all of our young arms feels good, but I don't see re-signing him before the all-star break as a smart business decision.

by alfredoz on Jan 29, 2007 6:48 PM EST reply actions