Schilling Could Return In ’09
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald is reporting that Curt Schilling’s shoulder surgery went well and he could pitch again in ’09.
“If I want to pitch again, I have a chance to. That’s the bottom line,” Schilling told WEEI yesterday morning. “I’m trying to assess if I’m going to be able to make the commitment for this to happen.”
While a return to the Red Sox may seem like the most obvious destination for Schilling, it will be interesting to see if Theo Epstein is willing to throw good money after bad money. The Red Sox gave Schilling a 1-year/$8MM deal before learning that he would not pitch at all this season.
Schilling Out For Season
Curt Schilling will have season-ending surgery, and could be done for good. This shouldn’t change much for the Red Sox, who weren’t counting on him and have strong starting pitching depth.
Ken Rosenthal did note today that the Sox are more likely to target C.C. Sabathia than a position player, even if David Ortiz‘s injury is worse than expected.
Odds and Ends: Posada, Uribe, Wise, Red Sox
Today’s links…
- Jorge Posada could rejoin the Yankees as early as Wednesday (a few reports suggested Tuesday). Kat O’Brien of Newsday says the Yanks will hold on to both Jose Molina and Chad Moeller for "a while" after Posada returns, but as Peter Abraham points out on the LoHud Yankees blog, the Yankees have a real need for a set-up man now that Joba Chamberlain is starting.
- Juan Uribe has been activated from the 15-day DL, and although Ozzie Guillen said he wasn’t guaranteed playing time, they had to make room on the roster nonetheless. DeWayne Wise was designated for assigment.
- The news that Clay Buchholz has been optioned to Pawtucket comes as a shock to yours truly, but it underscores just how much starting pitching the Red Sox have right now, even with Daisuke Matsuzaka currently on the 15-day DL. Free agent pickup Bartolo Colon has worked out so far as a low-risk, high-reward signing. They’ve also got a good spot-starter in Justin Masterson, currently in Double A. And as if that weren’t enough, Curt Schilling could start throwing off a mound June 6. The odd man out could bring something useful in a trade. Just idle speculation, and I know there’s no such thing as too much pitching…but the Red Sox do have some holes to fill.
Sarah Green writes for UmpBump and the Boston Metro. She can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Schilling, Piazza, Howard
Tax day roundup…
- Some mild drama over whether Curt Schilling would consider pitching for the Yankees next year. He reiterated that he won’t. It takes two to tango, anyway.
- Pedro Martinez may be out until June. Nelson Figueroa‘s chance continues, with Claudio Vargas as the backup plan. The Mets still have a solid rotation without Pedro.
- Mark Healey has heard rumblings that the Reds and Yankees are looking at Mike Piazza.
- Phillies Nation on why they would trade Ryan Howard.
- Bill Barnwell looks at the four trades Randy Johnson trades. I thought the Unit looked respectable last night, though it’s hard to gauge against the Giants.
- Susan Slusser believes a recent roster move indicates that the A’s are playing to win in ’08. They’re in first place at the moment.
- The Dodgers rolled out the red carpet for bloggers.
Odds and Ends: Barrett, Koufax, Santana
A few notes from this evening…
- Michael Barrett and the Padres avoided arbitration, arriving at a $3.5MM deal. A little less than I expected given his $4.6MM salary in ’07. If some team acquires Barrett on the cheap he could bounce back if he’s comfortable. Wasn’t long ago he was one of the better-hitting catchers in the game. Is there even a slight chance he wouldn’t embarrass himself back at the hot corner?
- Great ShysterBall post in reference to Curt Schilling‘s attempt to call out Roger Clemens.
- Sandy Koufax did not do steroids.
- Derrick Goold looks at how David Eckstein ended up leaving the Cardinals despite his desire to stay.
- LENIII says it’s possible nothing has happened on the Johan Santana front since the Meetings ended. Neal also names Kris Benson as a pitcher on the Twins’ radar. They were one of many teams watching his recent session. Plus they were eyeing Glendon Rusch before he signed with the Padres.
Odds and Ends: Guillen, Crede, Hamilton, Boone
Rounding up some of the day’s random rumors and tidbits…
- Jose Guillen might get a light suspension for his exploits.
- There was a report that the Brewers were close to obtaining Joe Crede, but it was published last night.
- The BBWAA approved a new resolution for 2013. Any player with a contract provision linked to a major award of theirs will not be considered for that award. Makes sense – to repeat Curt Schilling’s situation. Curt Schilling could get a million bucks by netting one Cy Young vote in 2008. The BBWAA would rather preserve its right to have members make off-the-wall votes on occasion without bribery being accused.
- The Reds traded Buck Coats to the Jays. They also released Jorge Cantu. They now have an open spot on the 40-man roster.
- Could the Rays re-acquire Josh Hamilton? There’s speculation on the topic in Nashville.
- Buster Olney says Aaron Boone interests the Giants, Nationals, and Brewers.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Andruw, Rowand, Castillo
Ken Rosenthal has cranked out another rumor-filled column. A summary is below.
- The Marlins are insisting on Howie Kendrick in a Miguel Cabrera deal. The Angels are understandably reluctant.
- The Nationals could sign Andruw Jones long-term if they felt it was a bargain – say, $13MM a year. The Giants, White Sox, and Padres may be in the mix as well. Hmmm, White Sox and Boras? And if Scott Boras changes his tune and hunts for a one-year "rebuild value" contract for Jones, the Red Sox could get involved.
- The Phillies think Aaron Rowand will end up getting a 4/52 contract, though Rosenthal expects him to get the fifth guaranteed year. It’s previously been reported that Rowand is looking for a six-year, $84MM deal. Yikes.
- Aside from the Astros and Mets, the Indians, Padres, and Dodgers could get in on Luis Castillo. In the Tribe’s case, it would involve a scenario where Jhonny Peralta was dealt.
- Interesting note on Curt Schilling‘s $2MM in weight incentives – the target weights are aggressively low, and the weigh-ins will be done randomly. So, no cheating the system. By the way, isn’t it ridiculous that one Cy vote gets him $1MM? Sportswriters have given out single votes on a whim for much dumber reasons.
- The Red Sox are apparently asking a lot for Coco Crisp, more than the Twins are ready to give up.
- The Indians and Brewers have an excess of starters. Names that could hit the market include Cliff Lee, Dave Bush, and Chris Capuano. The Nationals have their eye on Lee. He came up as an Expo through Double A.
- The Nationals might be able to get something good for outfielder Ryan Church. In general, Jim Bowden desires a young MLB-ready starter like Kevin Mulvey or Kevin Slowey.
Red Sox Sign Curt Schilling
UPDATE, AFTERNOON OF 11-6-07: Nick Cafardo agrees that it’s one-year, $8MM guaranteed pending a physical. But the incentives are $3MM based on innings pitched and another $2MM if he meets weight requirements. Embarassing, but a good idea. Also, Schilling himself gets deeper into the details here. The $2MM is based on six separate weigh-ins, and there’s also another $1MM for any kind of Cy Young vote.
UPDATE, MORNING OF 11-6-07: Buster Olney has the details: Schilling signed for $8MM with another $2MM in incentives. Nice job by the Red Sox getting him below market value.
FROM 11-5-07:
According to Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald, Curt Schilling and the Red Sox are close to an incentive-laden one-year contract. When reached for comment, Schilling said "something could potentially get done."
Bradford adds that the Astros, Diamondbacks, and Phillies have all contacted Schilling so far. That’s surprising, because Schilling said today that the Phils hadn’t contacted him. Or at least, Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro Jr. hadn’t.
The Red Sox would be looking at a 2008 rotation of Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling, Clay Buchholz, and Jon Lester. Given the two kids and the 41 year-old, Tim Wakefield will get plenty of work. This is a very deep rotation.
Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Burrell, Furcal, Rolen
Two of my favorite local blogs have good hot stove posts for us today as part of Odds and Ends.
- Bleed Cubbie Blue has a Cubs source indicating the Cubs are serious about both Hiroki Kuroda and Kosuke Fukudome. They could be signed quickly and fill team needs. This info jives with the recent info from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. While Kuroda recently filed for free agency, he’s open to offers from MLB and Hiroshima.
- South Side Sox has their suggested offseason plan up for the White Sox. I like the idea of acquiring Pat Burrell and/or Rafael Furcal with Type A draft pick compensation in mind.
- Curt Schilling was in Philly to watch the Eagles last night.
- It seems possible that the Nationals could sign Corey Patterson for center field if they can’t get one of the big names.
- La Velle E. Neal III says the Twins and Red Sox have touched base about Coco Crisp. He adds that the Twins and Rays have been having conversations, perhaps in reference to Rocco Baldelli.
- Mike Lieberthal may be on the radar for the Blue Jays.
- Scott Rolen is said to be open to waiving his no-trade clause, but the three years and $36MM on his contract will be a problem.
Padres Rumors: Crisp, Pie, Andruw, Eckstein
Tom Krasovic continues to set the standard for Padres inside information. Today’s column is especially delicious for rumor junkies, with tons of new material to chew on.
- Kevin Towers expects to fill his center field vacancy via trade. He may first want to wait to see if Mike Cameron accepts the team’s upcoming offer of arbitration. Cameron is a Type B free agent. Remember that he will be limited to 137 games in ’07.
- As for trade candidates, Coco Crisp is on the radar but the Padres smartly won’t part with Chase Headley.
- Krasovic notes that Bud Black’s connection with Angels manager Mike Scioscia could play a role now that Trader Bill Stoneman isn’t the GM. Reggie Willits or Nathan Haynes might be in play for the Padres.
- The Padres really seem to like Felix Pie, and could re-open talks that would include Khalil Greene. They’ve asked about Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Brewers in the past. And it does sound like the Royals are willing to talk about David DeJesus.
- Sounds like the Padres will offer Andruw Jones $14-16MM on a one-year contract. Scott Boras hasn’t seemed open to this with Jones, but time will tell.
- The Tigers will have competition from the Padres for Geoff Jenkins. Krasovic envisions a Jenkins/Scott Hairston platoon in left and expects the Friars to make an offer.
- Two starters will be acquired even after Greg Maddux is retained. Rehabbing former Mark Prior and Matt Clement would both like to play in San Diego. There has to be some sort of cosmic rule about having three ex-Cubs in the rotation. That is not recommended. Plus the Padres were on Curt Schilling‘s list. And don’t forget the team’s previous trade interest in Josh Towers, who seems likely to be non-tendered and could be solid in PETCO.
- The Padres could pursue David Eckstein as a second baseman and leadoff man. But that would seemingly block Matt Antonelli for longer than necessary. Plus such a switch wouldn’t be in Eckstein’s best interests financially.
- Towers likes Jason Kendall, perhaps as a backup, but faces opposition in the organization.
- In another article, Towers lends credence to the theory that the Marlins could sign Alex Rodriguez.