AL9045

Curt Schilling is going to the Red Sox, after all. ESPN.com's Jayson Stark is reporting that the righthander has waived his no-trade clause and accepted a two-year contract extension with Boston that will be announced later tonight.

The_Dude

hrmm...hopefully it's a good decision for him.

__________________
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

Hrothgar

Good. Now if the Red Sox can swap Nomar for A-Rod then that might get rid of the curse.

__________________
The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.

BadForm

I see this as a big risk for the Red Sox. I don't think he is going to be as good over the life of the contract as he has been for the past few years. He is getting older and was injured part of last season. With Pedro likely leaving after this season, this might be the Sox's last chance for awhile.

JoeyB

This will be the first step in an expensive off-season. The Yanks will try to counter with something like Gary Sheffield....and then Boston will counter with something else.

It may not be the best move for Boston's long-term future, but for next year, they look very solid. They should have been in the Series last year--and with a horse like Schilling, they'll be back in contention again.

__________________
My mom is a Diamondbacks fan. She really likes the Big Unit

dylanmarsh

The getting old claim really doesn't hold that much water any more. Remember Roger Clemens still hitting the mid-90's and baffling guys with the split finger fastball in his 40's? Schilling is in the same mold as Clemens and will more than likely be as effective as Clemens was in the twilight of his baseball career.

I doubt this will be the Sox last chance; perhaps with the Nomar-Pedro combo, though. I'm not too terribly worried about Pedro staying with the Sox beyond next season. He isn't the typical power pitcher and hasn't proven to be the Pedro of old (see 1999). For $17M per season, the Sox could do better. Plus, if they retain Pedro they would have to let either Trot, Varitek, or Lowe go out. Personally, I would take those three over Pedro in the long term.

gov135

I think we should enter Casey Fossum into the discussion. If he turns out to have the stuff alot of people think he does, this could be a bad move for the Red Sox for years to come.

goppers

I hear you gov. I've been a huge supporter of Fossum. I don't think he was going to put it together for the though. He had 2 years to develop a changeup (or any third pitch) and he didn't. possibly with some different coaching he could, but I won't be supprised if he didn't. I do think he could make a good relief pitcher. It does pain me to say that though, because I've been arguing with my dad about him for 2 years now saying he could be a solid #2 starter.

oh well, my new binkie is Kim. I hope he doesn't let me down (and that the sox don't decide that his 4 or 5 mill in arbitration isn't too much to keep around)

dylanmarsh

Since I first heard Fossum's last name mentioned with the Red Sox, I can't help but associate him with Tony Fossas. And then, when I see Casey pitch I keep thinking I'm watching the younger version of Fossas. I don't think Fossum will amount to much. He doesn't seem to have any sort of a fastball and one can only throw so many curves. The one guy that really intrigues me, though, is Bronson Arroyo. I think Epstein was able to part with Casey due to Arroyo's pitching last season. Don't be surprised if Arroyo is the 5th starter next year.

By the way, what was the point of picking up Jeff Suppan and BK if they were going to leave them off the ALCS roster? Are both now eligible for arbitration?

salsa2

I dont think that Schilling is in the same mold as Clemens. Schilling had multiple injuries last year. It looks like he is starting to break down. I think its a big risk for the Red Sox. Now they might have 2 starters that they cant count on for the long haul.

goppers

I wondered the same thing salsa. His injuries were a line drive off the hand and something to do with his appendix. the appendix thing might have something to do with age, but it isn't exactly the sort of wearing down that i worry about with an old pitcher. The broken bone in the hand doesn't worry me at all. that happens to pitchers. When he came back from the second problem he had an era that was below 3 if im not mistaken.

It is something of a risk i agree, but I think looking at Schilling as in the mold of Clemens isn't unfair. But, Clemens had his fair share of little injuries and those generally were wearing down muscle problems.

whats amazing about this deal is the money. only 12.5/13 mil might affect what pedro gets when he tries to re-sign.

salsa2

I dont think Pedro will be back. The management want to dump the "me first" players like him and Manny.

goppers

I agree on manny and disagree on pedro. maybe its just that pitchers are more difficult to replace than bats. also, what do i know.

oh, but they did have the option not to pick up the option but did. who knows. there could have been other reasons for that though. shrug.

lions20

Hopefully the redsox will beat the yankees in the playoofs next year.

lions20

i meant playoffs.