Schilling To Pitch In 2008
Curt Schilling has decided to pitch in 2008, and he's currently in contract discussions with the Red Sox. He's a free agent after the '07 season, during which he'll make $13MM. Schilling told WEEI that he won't consider pitching in New York. He hopes to finish negotiations with the Red Sox before spring training, one way or another.
PECOTA likens Schilling to Gaylord Perry. BP's projection system values Schilling at $8.4MM in 2008.
In my 2007 RotoAuthority Fantasy Guide, I've projected Schilling to post a 3.70 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 195 innings this year.
There is no republican-Christian-American-fear-inducing God in Heaven!
Posted by: Guitar Hero | January 29, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Guitar Hero, come again? Anyway, with the pitching market as it currently stands, I would be pitching until my arm literally fell off!!! If he puts up an era this year under 4, I guarantee with this market, he gets at least 2 years at 10 mil a year. Who wouldn't pitch????
Posted by: Aduncaroo | January 29, 2007 at 12:02 PM
He just wants to make sure he has HOF numbers. I'll be shocked if he pitches anywhere but Boston.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | January 29, 2007 at 01:30 PM
I highly doubt he'd pitch anywhere other than Boston next year unless he's not asked back (which is highly unlikely unless he's injured). Schilling's new video game company is named "Green Monster Games"... I rest my case.
Posted by: TNS | January 29, 2007 at 01:36 PM
I'm wondering how this affects the Sox's plans for adding on more payroll (like the Helton deal) since I'm sure they were thinking they were getting that $12 million (or whatever it is) off the books after this year. Of course they don't have to sign him but public sentiment will be strong to do it.
Posted by: Makaveli616 | January 29, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Im sure Schilling coming back is not a problem at all.
Posted by: GoBoSox420 | January 29, 2007 at 01:40 PM
He's been quoted several times that he'd like to end his career back in Philly. With the Phils as potential WS contenders for the next few seasons, I think they're the most likely #2 option.
Posted by: Springer505 | January 29, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Can you link me to these several quotes? Its just funny he was planning on retiring after this year, yet you are saying he has been quoted several times saying he wants to be philly.
Posted by: GoBoSox420 | January 29, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Anyone else think the timing of this announcement is no coincidence?
Schilling knows the Sox are about to take another big dollar committment to Helton, not to mention they still may take a run at the Rocket. I think Curt wants it out there that he isn't going to walk away quietly after the season and wants Boston to show him the money now and stop assuming this is his farewell season.
I'm sure he's read enough articles about how Boston should spend the money they are saving on him next year to get him to say this. He's calculating.
Posted by: Dicky LaRue | January 29, 2007 at 02:53 PM
This has to be a no-brainer for the Red Sox. They will have the extension done before ST.
It gives the Sox a front line pitcher with playoff experience. It give then an experienced leader of their rotation, even if he is not a number 1.
But more importantly, it gives then a 5-man rotation set for 2008. Schilling, Beckett, Papelbon, Matsuzaka and Lester.
No Wakefield, no Mirabelli, no signing of a FA to be a 5th starter (that one is a big plus)
And in 2009, someone in the farm system could be ready to step up (Clay Buchholz).
Posted by: quintjs | January 29, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Easy on saying "With the Phils as potential WS contenders for the next few seasons"
When is the last time they even made the playoffs? They will be in the race, but easy on calling them potential WS contenders before they have seen the postseason at all lately
Posted by: Aduncaroo | January 29, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I'm sure he wants to end his career in the Desert with RJ so they can rekindle their friendship.
Posted by: tmar | January 29, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Poor Wakefield never gets any respect...
Posted by: the Impossible Dream | January 29, 2007 at 05:26 PM
Wakefield is a nice guy, and a quality pitcher, but he is hardly a guy for the future, and with his stats, he is not exactly a guy you want all the time.
I am saying its time to move on from Wakefield, I like Schilling for another year, because he is the leadership the Sox need, and is a above average pitcher. He fills the gap until some of the young guys can come up.
Schilling, the bloody sock, the WS ring, he is a legend in Boston, why would he want to retire elsewhere?
Posted by: quintjs | January 29, 2007 at 05:35 PM
I think the only other choice in Schil's head is the Phillies. It's obvious he wants the Sox, but if they won't make a reasonable offer he'll try Philly I bet.
As far as Wake, yeah he's no ace...but why wouldn't you want him out there all the time? And what's wrong with his stats? You take the last 10 years and look at them, it's not as if he's exhibiting a decline. I mean, last year was his worst in a while and his stats weren't bad (win-loss record indicates otherwise I know).
If we can blow 4+mil on a guy like Pineiro... I don't see why using Wake's eternal 4.5mil options for nothing more than insurance would be a bad idea? He won't like it, but if we -really- had no room for a while one season he'd go back to the pen.
Posted by: the Impossible Dream | January 29, 2007 at 06:06 PM
Schilling loves baseball history and would love a chance to be in the hall of fame. He knew the team was going to open the vault this offseasn, as he was quoted in the Boston papers saying this right as the season was ending and judging by his comments on WEEI, he obviously thinks the money has been well-spent and believes he can improve his chances of getting into the Hall with this team. I do respect Schilling as a pitcher, but the man is definitely infatuated with how he will be perceieved once he retires and winning another WS with some above average numbers would help his cause.
Posted by: sausage guy | January 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
How 'bout them D-backs?
Brandon Webb
RJ
Schilling
Doug Davis
Edgar Gonzalez(or possibly Livan Hernandez)
Posted by: diamondbacker | January 30, 2007 at 06:50 PM
That would be a heck of a rotation, plus if some of the highly touted Baby 'Backs breakout, then we're a contender for sure.
Posted by: diamondbacker | January 30, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Ah nostalgia.
I don't think it would be wise to put RJ & Schilling in the same dugout again.
Posted by: tmar | January 30, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Why not tmar?
I seem to see this quote from you on Diamondbacks Bullpen which seems to support getting Schilling back to the desert:
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I can't see the Red Sox not signing him for 08 .
For 13MM he's a bargain
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I don't see how RJ and Schilling back together causes problems.
Posted by: diamondbacker | January 31, 2007 at 04:47 PM