Schilling Names Targets

Schilling and Randy Johnson together again? Just what the young guys need: Grumpy Old Men.

Please come to san diego!!!! Schilling in Petco back in the NL against some weak offenses.

The Braves would love him but there's no room in their payroll for him.

They already have a substantial increase in payroll with large increases in salary to Hudson, Smoltz, and Teixiera. They're responsible for all of Mike Hampton this year, barring another injury. Renteria was traded to clear up some space.

He'd go to the Braves, and the Braves would gladly take him. But there's simply not much salary room to work with.

I don't expect him to leave Boston. Unless Boston decides to go with a youth movement in the 5-man rotation (Lester, Buchholz, etc.), which I don't think they'll bank their rotation on such young guys, Schilling will be back in Boston next year.

Timm, why do you keep saying that Schilling is a good deal at $13m? He's 41, he's missed time in each of the last two seasons, and he's lost 5 mph on his fastball. Yes, he still has great control, but isn't the health risk that he represents a serious concern? I know it's just a 1-year commitment, but it is a wise investment for the Sox when he'd basically block Lester or Buchholz from the rotation?

I'm a Sox fan, and I really appreciate what Schilling did for the Sox over the last four years. But with a Lester and Buchholz strong possibilities for the rotation next year, and possibly Wakefield as well, the Red Sox need someone who can eat up innings for them, and they simply can't count on Schililng for that.

Actually, I like the idea of hte Sox seeing if they can get Dontrelle Willis for a reasonable price. He's good for 200 IP, and with the Sox offense he'd probably do pretty well.

If Wakefield is healthy for 2008, then a rotation of Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Buchholz and Wakefield isn't bad on its own. Add Willis, and put Wake in the bullpen for long relief and spot starting, and they've got a nice balance of rookies and innings-eaters.

I don't understand why people are down on the guy. He is winner. He pitches in big games. He shoots his mouth off at times but it's never a big deal. It draws attention only because it comes from Curt Schilling.

Would love him in my rotation but as a general fan of the game it would be terrific for him to sign with Philly. What a great end to a couple of careers if Schilling lands in Philly and Glavine in the ATL.

"You'd trade for Willis which takes losing players, and a lesser performance than just paying Schilling."

OI did say that I would only trade for Willis if he was reasonable. I was hoping the Sox could get him at a bit of a discount because of his awful year. Plus the Marlins have expressed interest in Coco Crisp, who the Red Sox want to unload, so maybe they could arrange a trade with two guys who underperformed in 2007. Unloading Crisp's contract would be a good thing. Plus, Willis is 15 years younger than Schilling. He's never had a year as bad as he did in '07, so it could have been an aberration. I thought the Sox could take a chance on him - kind of like they did with Mike Lowell, and that worked out pretty well, right?

"He wouldn't block Lester and Buchholz they will have innings limits issues next year."

Yes... which is another reason I suggested Willis, since he's averaged 200 IP over the last four years. Plus Wakefield in the bullpen to spot start. Depth.

"you don't throw two rookies into the rotation when you are a championship aspring team without alot of backup."

Yes, backup. Like Beckett/ Matsuzaka/ Willis/ Wakefield.

Look, I'm not saying that re-signing Schilling for one year is bad, exactly. I just think it's not their best option. He's averaged 150 IP over the last 3 years, and the Red Sox need a guaranteed 180+ IP from any extra SP they sign... to counter the innings limitations of Lester and Buchholz.

Doesn't Pedro and Schilling have dislike for one another?

Schilling really does not make sense for the brewers. The brewers have 8 potential starting pitchers, and the problem with the pitching has been defense, and not getting enough innings from our starters

Schilling is not exactly an innings eater, so that does not help. I see him going to Philly, they are hard pressed for pitching, and as was said before he doesnt live too far from there.

Lets not forget Mr. Schillings personality here. Nothing would make him feel more like "the man" then going to the cubbies and bringing them a world series trophy. I would love to see cubs use him in the 4 slot lined up against other teams #4 - might end up a 15 game winner and more importantly pushes Marquis to #5. I would say Sox are favorties then Cubs then Philly

"Schilling seems like the best FA signing. How many guys with #2-3 potential can you get for a $13MM payout? Pretty much just him. I'd be surprised if he can't give 160 innings next year."

Well, I was surprised that he didn't give them 160 innings last year. And now he's a year older, and has recent shoulder trouble on his resume.

I agree that he's probably the best FA available, which is why I think the Sox should search for a trade. But if they can't find a good innings eater for a less-than exorbitant price, then fine, resign Schilling.

I suppose the Sox could consider Schilling a stopgap to a better free agent. The 2009 FA class is much better, with Burnett, Garland, Sabathia, Sheets, Santana, and maybe Lackey, Peavy, Penny and Smoltz too (all 4 have 2009 options).

I really wish that there was a decent 2-year FA stopgap available. Lester and Buchholz will need a couple years in the ML rotation before they can be considered solidly reliable. In 2010, the Sox will have Beckett, Matsuzaka, and 26-year-olds Lester and Buchholz with 2 full seasons under their belts. And by then they'll have a couple other minor leaguers (Masterson, Bowden, Breslow, Pauley) about ready to make the leap.

(Jay C. - to be fair, he was directly asked about the Yankees. He was just answering the question.)

"Lol, a 6-man rotation. Thats smart. Lets find a way to limit Wangs innings some more. He isn't a top 10 pitcher in the AL or anything."

He's not a top 10. Here are some of Wang's AL rankings (for pitchers with 140+ IP):

42nd in K/9
37th in K/BB
14th in ERA
12th(T) in QS
21st in WHIP
21st in BAA
24th in OBP(against)

Those numbers are just in the AL. Wang only got his 19-7 record because he had the 2nd-best run support in the majors. He's a #2 at best.

"I wouldn't want to rely on Schilling too much, and the Phillies would, a lot."

I don't think that's really the case. Hamels is the ace in Philadelphia, so Schilling doesn't need to be The Man. if a big-name closer is signed and Myers moves back to the rotation (a big if, true), Schilling wouldn't even need to be the #2 guy.

think about it this way: Hamels is the Phillies' Beckett and Myers is the Phillies' Matsuzaka (obviously the Phils' guys don't match the Red Sox's guys in terms of talent, but it's the NL, they don't need to), and Schilling is the same big-game vet saving his bullets for the postseason. (to extend the metaphor, Moyer is Wakefield, Eaton is some homeless guy they found on the street, and JC Romero is JC Romero.)

yeah, I know, but I couldn't resist...

I'd love to have Schilling back, but I won't be disappointed if he's gone. He's still a good pitcher, just more reliant on location then he's ever been before. Is he worth 13 million? Maybe if he really wants to stay in Boston then he'd except a excentive laden contract worth that much if he reaches them? If not, then I'm sure Theo will field a good team either way.

"(to extend the metaphor, Moyer is Wakefield, Eaton is some homeless guy they found on the street, and JC Romero is JC Romero.)"

hahaha! Too funny.
Thanks for the laugh.