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It was reported that Schilling told the Sox he would resign with them in '08 for the same salary he is making this year ($13m). I am not one of those people who says the Sox should spend to the moon since 'it's not my money, so what do I care,' but in this instance, $13 million to keep the guy considering what the market for starters is right now, doesn't seem outlandish.


Even if you walk into next year with Beckett, Dice-K, Pap, and Lester, putting Schilling in there under a 1-year contract sounds good to me (unless they're reserving a spot for Joel Piniero next year).



-- The Capt.

Rob, today's New York Times ran an article about me that claims I "stay perfectly straight." All of my press, including my good friend Will Carroll, until now, talks about how much I break.


So which am I? A supertight fastball or the mother of all breaking balls? I have such an identity crisis right now, I don't even know whether or not I exist. In fact, how am I even typing this?

I think Curt is being Curt, and taking this as a dis-respectful motion from the Bosox Clubhouse. I don't see why some athletes who take a very mature and professional approach towards their time in MLB, can't see it both ways. Ownership, or any ownership wouldn't allow themselves to be "Pedro'ed" and fall into signing a 40+ pitcher before they even face real opposition.
That I believe would be "the tail wagging the dog"

Sorry Schill, I totally support the RedSox, and not the bloody one.

I think if the Red Sox aren't in it this year we should trade Schilling away near the trade deadline. We could probably get some great young prospects from a team in the playoff chase that would help us for years to come versus the one or two years Schilling has left in him. I know Schilling got us a World Series ring but it may be time to move on without him. I can't wait to see how the whole Schilling thing is going to play out. So far it seems like everyone is 50-50 on whether Schilling should be resigned now or they should wait till after the season. I think wait and see what Schilling does. Rob what do you think? What does everyone out there reading the blog think?

I understand the age thing with Schilling, but I think he has proven himself to be a hard worker and a great pitcher over the years. I am sure the Sox have entered in to much worse contracts over the years. If we resign him for 13 Mill for 2007 and he only pitches half the season and gets hurt, it wont go down as the worst mistake in Red Sox history by any means.


Just sign the guy! He has earned it!

No player is ever owed a contract, just as no team is ever owed anything by a player. I think the Sox are absolutely doing the right thing here. Much as the media (and some of the fans) love to laud Schilling, the truth is that he's only been an above average pitcher for about half a season out of the last two. He was awful (and hurt) in 2005 and his second half numbers last year weren't exactly lights out:


Pre ASB: 19GS 127.1IP 8.78 H/9 8.14 K/9 1.06 BB/9 3.61 ERA 1.09 WHIP



Post ASB: 12GS 76.2IP 11.34 H/9 8.03 K/9 1.54 BB/9 4.61 ERA 1.43 WHIP



Plus, he'll be 41 years old at the start of next year. If those second half numbers are a harbringer of things to come in 2007, then it would be really stupid to lock Schilling up now. If those numbers turn out to be more of a small sample size fluke, then Schilling will be worth perhaps a little extra money on the FA market. Seems pretty simple to me.

//I think if the Red Sox aren't in it this year we should trade Schilling away near the trade deadline.//


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The only way we wouldn't be in it in July is if Schilling, Papi, Manny and Papelbon were hurt.



Anyway, I still can't get away from athletes not understanding that their past performances have no influence on any future success. Hell, for most of them their greatest performances led to the downfall of their careers (Keith Foulke says hi, Curt Schilling's stats wave back). It's the projection of success that their value is judged, so I'm sorry Curtis Montague and friends, but there's only so much value (and even more risk) attached to 40-year-old pitchers who come off seasons with a 13th-best ERA and show up to Spring Training less than fit.



I think Jon Lester is a little more "deserving" of a spot in the 2008 rotation.



My question: How has Mike Timlin been progressing? After last year's arm problems in the WBC are they taking it slower with him or just letting him by with a normal routine? Do they see him as being the set-up man or is it his job to lose? Haven't heard too much on him yet this spring performance-wise.

I'm a little bewildered but not surprised at Schilling's attitude - particularly because there have been times he has "engaged brain before putting mouth into gear."


If I were the Red Sox, I'd wait. I just don't like Schilling's attitude, and I particularly don't like him negotiating through the press this way.



It's funny - Schilling plays and manipulates the press one way, then Manny the other (by not talking to them). It's comical. Truly comical.

I meant "not" engaged brain...

I'm on the fence about Schilling. On one hand, there's the "bloody sock" heroism he gave us in 2004. On the other, he'll be 41 in a short while and who knows how he'll hold up this year. Nothing is ever clear cut, I guess, but business is business and from that standpoint I can understand this decision. I have surely enjoyed having him to cheer for, though.
I've been a sox fan for 60 years and love this blog stuff!!!