Schilling To Reach Free Agency
The possibility of a preseason contract extension for Curt Schilling is out; he’ll file for free agency after the ’07 season. Schilling spoke to WEEI this morning and made the announcement.
This doesn’t rule out Schilling returning to the Red Sox for ’08 and beyond, however. I’d be surprised if the Sox don’t make an offer, assuming he stays healthy this season. If Schilling can duplicate his ’06 numbers (204 innings of 3.97 ball) he might be worth a one-year, $13MM commitment. PECOTA sees Schilling posting 198 innings of 3.84 ball this season, and would pay him $8.6MM in ’08. Suffice it to say he’ll top that on the open market, even if the Yankees aren’t involved.
Shaughnessy Talks To Schilling
Dan Shaughnessy got his arch-rival Curt Schilling on the phone recently to ask him about his contract demands.
Apparently Schilling had already been in discussion with Theo Epstein about coming back in 2008 before he broke the news on the airwaves. The story had been about to leak, so Schilling announced it himself.
Schilling thinks the Red Sox want him back and that both parties could get the deal done in 15 minutes if they are close. They’ll meet before spring training and make a decision one way or another. Schilling seems to consider $13MM a discount; he feels he could get $17MM+ on the open market using the Yankees as leverage.
It seems likely to me that he stays in Boston. A one-year, $13MM commitment is reasonable for the Red Sox.
Shaughnessy Talks To Schilling
Dan Shaughnessy got his arch-rival Curt Schilling on the phone recently to ask him about his contract demands.
Apparently Schilling had already been in discussion with Theo Epstein about coming back in 2008 before he broke the news on the airwaves. The story had been about to leak, so Schilling announced it himself.
Schilling thinks the Red Sox want him back and that both parties could get the deal done in 15 minutes if they are close. They’ll meet before spring training and make a decision one way or another. Schilling seems to consider $13MM a discount; he feels he could get $17MM+ on the open market using the Yankees as leverage.
It seems likely to me that he stays in Boston. A one-year, $13MM commitment is reasonable for the Red Sox.
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.
Trade Candidates Part 2
Last time we looked at players in their contract year and trade possibilities. Today we’ll open the field and see who else could be available.
Dealing Shea Hillenbrand or Eric Hinske would probably make sense for the Blue Jays. It looks like the two will enter 2006 splitting DH duty for the Jays, and Hillenbrand may have twice as much value with the bat as Hinske. The problem is figuring out which team actually has a need for a middling 1B/3B/DH type.
The Red Sox have six starters (seven if you think Papelbon is rotation-ready), but they shouldn’t be so eager to send one packing. Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling are highly unlikely to make all of their starts. Epstein might send Arroyo over to Tampa Bay for Julio Lugo anyway. More likely, of course, is a signing of Alex Gonzalez and a trade of David Wells for a spare part or prospect.
A lot of folks think Carlos Pena still has some good seasons ahead of him. For example, PECOTA projects him to hit .255/.349/.482 in 514 ABs in 2006. The Tigers could probably use some sort of contingency plan in case Carlos Guillen misses time again.
The Diamondbacks have too many veteran OFs and no place for Carlos Quentin. I’m sure Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez are available, it’s just a matter of finding clubs to take most of their salaries. Both outfielders are still contributors.
A.J. Burnett/Curt Schilling Projections
The latest from RotoAuthority: my Curt Schilling projection. Also on the site is my A.J. Burnett projection from a couple of days ago. Be sure to drop by and let me know what you think.
Also, I’ll be on WGN Radio 720 tonight at 7:30pm central time. It’ll be cool to chat baseball with David Kaplan on Sports Central. Be sure to tune in!