164 replies to this topic

[Doza]

Per WEEI morning interview: Schilling will not retire after 2007.

Edited by Smiling Joe Hesketh, 29 January 2007 - 08:45 AM.

[Philip Jeff Frye]

John Kerry breaths a sigh of relief!

[BoSoxLady]

I guess Shonda doesn't like having him around the house all that much.

Already having discussions with the Red Sox. Wants contract resolved prior to the season. Would like to remain with the Red Sox but it's not definite. Will NOT pitch for the MFY.

[Ian]

Any other details?

My opinion: So long as he can still pitch and chooses to do so for the Sox, fantastic. He's be a great mentor for some of our younger kids coming through.

[smackdown924]

Awesome news! With the skyrocketing market price of premium pitching, Schilling will help us on the field and on the books.

I'm sure he'll have a deal done by the end of Spring Training. I like how in the interview when someone asked him if he'd be wearing pinstripes if Theo dragged his feet he said "No, I will not be playing in New York. I could not make that move." Of course Jonny Demon said the same thing, but some how I believe Schil more.

[Doza]

Will NOT pitch for the MFY.

Famous last words.

I work right upstairs from Green Monster Games- Schills new startup. Knowing how much capital it costs to start up a gaming company (especially one to compete with World of Warcraft) - it looks like he's thinking about his future.

Seriously though, this is good news for the Sox. He should be able to pitch 2 or 3 more years pretty effectively.

[Tizzolator]

I work right upstairs from Green Monster Games- Schills new startup. Knowing how much capital it costs to start up a gaming company (especially one to compete with World of Warcraft) - it looks like he's thinking about his future.

To that end, I think this fact has relevance to the MFY question. Schill seems to have placed roots down here - his kids are in school, his new start-up is on suburban Boston - it strikes me that given the Red Sox will contend for the next few years, this is an ideal situation for him to remain in on the personal side. Not that he'll work for free, but his personal situation has got to factor into his negotiations at some point.

Edited by Tizzolator, 29 January 2007 - 08:57 AM.

[Comfortably Lomb]

Famous last words.

I work right upstairs from Green Monster Games- Schills new startup. Knowing how much capital it costs to start up a gaming company (especially one to compete with World of Warcraft) - it looks like he's thinking about his future.

Seriously though, this is good news for the Sox. He should be able to pitch 2 or 3 more years pretty effectively.

If he's thinking about his gaming company then I would guess that he's also thinking he'll get more PR as an active player than a retired one.

[Doza]

As a side note, I've been trying to get my foot in the door to Green Monster Games for awhile now.

They are throwing money around on huge names, sort of the the Yankees of gaming.

[Rasputin]

I'm sure he's got a few good years in him but if he does a Roger Clemens eight part retirement parade, I'm gonna barf.

Also, allow me to be the first to suggest that he might have a few more years as a closer than as a starter.

[Mugsys Jock]

Glad to hear he's still got the fire. That said, I'm sure G38 wants to play for Boston second, and wants not to plays for the MFYs third. What he wants first is to play and take care of his family and such.

I'm not questioning his sincerity, nor do I still question Damon's, but let's be honest: the negotiation will be what the negotiation will be. If the MFYs step up with years and money well beyond what the Sox do, Schilling would go. And he'd have every right to.

Will the Red Sox extend for say, 2/25? Would MFYs offer 3/35?

[DJnVa]

Awesome news! With the skyrocketing market price of premium pitching, Schilling will help us on the field and on the books.

Why would you assume he'll be cheap?

If he goes elsewhere to play, is he banned from SoSH?

[Rudy Pemberton]

I think this throws a bit of a wrench into the Sox long term plans. The idea that Schilling's money would come off the books after this year was somewhat appealing; and allowed the team to make big commitments to Drew and Matsuzaka. Now Curt is still a great pitcher and the Sox will definitely want to re-up him, but is a 2 year, $28M commitment to Curt (not sure how long he wants to play for) a good idea, and what are the ramifications to the payroll?

[Jneen]

what Ian said.

If he can still pitch, then hell yeah.

Besides, would this not conceivably put him in the HoF with a Sox cap?

[DJnVa]

I think this throws a bit of a wrench into the Sox long term plans. The idea that Schilling's money would come off the books after this year was somewhat appealing; and allowed the team to make big commitments to Drew and Matsuzaka. Now Curt is still a great pitcher and the Sox will definitely want to re-up him, but is a 2 year, $28M commitment to Curt (not sure how long he wants to play for) a good idea, and what are the ramifications to the payroll?

I would think that he mentioned this to the Red Sox before he mentioned it to EEI. Add into the fact that the Sox do not have to sign him, and I'm not sure how it throws any tool into the plans.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I think this throws a bit of a wrench into the Sox long term plans. The idea that Schilling's money would come off the books after this year was somewhat appealing; and allowed the team to make big commitments to Drew and Matsuzaka. Now Curt is still a great pitcher and the Sox will definitely want to re-up him, but is a 2 year, $28M commitment to Curt (not sure how long he wants to play for) a good idea, and what are the ramifications to the payroll?

I think 2/28 is not a backbreaking committment in the long view.

I don't know whether Curt's announcement will put a monkeywrench into any plans the Sox had for 2008. His going public with his plan to play beyond 2007 does put a lot of pressure on the Sox' FO to give him the extension, particularly given his statement that he thinks a deal should get done in ST because of what he's done here (all he's have to do is call a press conference and hold up a picture of the bloody sock and fans would be on his side).

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Why would you assume he'll be cheap?

And why would you assume he'll be good?

Let's face it, at some point, he's not going to be able to get it done anymore. Clemens aside, how many great pitchers have still be truly effective in their forties? And you know that he'll want to be paid like a great pitcher regardless of results.

I remember how embarassing it seemed to watch Steve Carlton stink it up for the last three or four years of his career. I hope Schilling does not end up on that route.

[bosoxgrl]

what Ian said.

If he can still pitch, then hell yeah.

Besides, would this not conceivably put him in the HoF with a Sox cap?

And in that regard, wouldn't pitching a few more years put the feather in the Hall of Fame cap? In some circles, he's still being discussed as a borderline candidate. This may put him over if he pitches well.

[Andy Tomberlin]

what Ian said.

If he can still pitch, then hell yeah.

Besides, would this not conceivably put him in the HoF with a Sox cap?

Jneen, I think this will help his HOF chances providing he pitches well. His win total (207) seemed like something that might keep him back, but if he plays two more years, he could potentially get up to the 240+ range.

Another World Series under his belt would help, too, which is frankly all I care about right now.

This is great news.

[gcapalbo]

This is pretty nice news.

I heard the interview as well, and 'reading between the lines' one could get the impression that it is likely that a deal will be done during Spring Training.

Since he announced the formation of his gaming venture last year, I was fairly certain that he was going to retire after 2007, and during the '06 season figured depending on his physical status in the last half of the year he might even retire now.

I'm glad that's not the case.

I've got to imagine that the rush of playing in front of an energetic crowd, such as we have at Fenway for literally each and every game has to be a natural high that would be hard to give up for almost anybody.

Especially because Curt wants to establish a business in the Boston area after his career... there is no way, shape or form that he every plays in New York if he doesn't sign here. My guess is if he does not play in Boston, he resigns with the Diamondbacks for one more year.

I do think though if he develops some kind of serious injury problem during the season, '07 could be his last year.

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

I would think that he mentioned this to the Red Sox before he mentioned it to EEI. Add into the fact that the Sox do not have to sign him, and I'm not sure how it throws any tool into the plans.

He said the change of heart occurred within the past 7-10 days, so the FO may not have had that much lead time.....

[LondonSox]

I'm sure he's got a few good years in him but if he does a Roger Clemens eight part retirement parade, I'm gonna barf.

Also, allow me to be the first to suggest that he might have a few more years as a closer than as a starter.

I don't know how that would fit with wanting to get any extension sorted before the season! Not exactly Clemens like is it? Bottom line while I hope he can stay at a fair salary to both parties the fact that he's not retiring means extra picks at a worst case right? There's no way you don't offer him arb, and if we don't sign him someone else will. So the worst case is a positive to the status quo.

Of course the cynic in me does say that of course he wants it resolved ASAP, if Beckett, Paps, Dice-K all pitch well and Lester comes back strong and Buchholz progresses as hoped we'll have a sick young rotation and Schilling would be a luxury more than an outright need. Still I hope he does come back there are worse things than everything working out and having too many top starters!!!

[Lars The Wanderer]

Already having discussions with the Red Sox. Wants contract resolved prior to the season.

From Curt's perspective, this would be the ideal situation. If I am Theo, I would prefer to see what transpires with Curt's performance in '07 prior to setting a price for '08 and possibly '09. Going public with this news is an excellent negotiating tactic by Curt. The ball is now in the Red Sox FO's court to either get this done or let Curt hang for the season.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Considering the roots he's set down in Boston, and knowing that he would never consider pitching additional seasons if he was injured to the extent that he was in 2005 with no sign of recovery, this might be a good situation to give him a contract like Wakefield's, where every year that he pitches gives him another year of contract. When he's ready to quit, or the Sox are ready for him to quit, the contract terminates.

[PedroKsBambino]

This can't be good for the future of Green Monster games

Interesting timing; if he felt this way, why not bring it up over the winter?

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

This can't be good for the future of Green Monster games

Interesting timing; if he felt this way, why not bring it up over the winter?

I wonder if the timing is due to getting more involved with Green Monster Games, and his realizing how much money it's going to cost to get that business off and running. A couple of years added to his contract would help with the start-up costs tremendously.

[jp]

Personally, I think that, regardless of how solid the young core of starters looks, you HAVE to keep Curt around so long as he can pitch solidly and his compensation is in largely line with how he can pitch. And, from what we've seen from Curt, I think we know that (i) he wouldn't want to pitch if he couldn't do so at a pretty high level and (ii) he's not going to ask for something totally unreasonable (nor, conversely, will he be a pushover in negotiations either). This would seem to be a no-brainer for me.

My guess is that this has been driven by how he's feeling as he begins to get ready for Spring. Also, he may now be thinking that the HOF is a possibility and he wants to cement his standing a little bit more. Who knows.

Edited by jp, 29 January 2007 - 09:40 AM.

[sfip]

I think this throws a bit of a wrench into the Sox long term plans. The idea that Schilling's money would come off the books after this year was somewhat appealing; and allowed the team to make big commitments to Drew and Matsuzaka.

If Curt's final demands are more than what the Red Sox feel is worth to be on the payroll, they won't re-sign him and they can continue with whatever their longterm plans are.

Edited by sfip, 29 January 2007 - 09:43 AM.

[Who is Dana Williams]

More money for his new company, still having some innings left in him, and putting up some more W's to help his HOF cause are some good reasons to keep going. A couple 15-20 win seasons and he will only help his chances. 3-4 more good years and I'd think he'd be a lock.

[The Flying Dutchman]

My guess is that this has been driven by how he's feeling as he begins to get ready for Spring. Also, he may now be thinking that the HOF is a possibility and he wants to cement his standing a little bit more. Who knows.

He must have been reading the "Is G38 a Hall of Famer?" thread and figured he better stick around to seal the deal.

Good news, our young rotation can always use someone like G38, especially with his extensive knowledge and records of hitters.

[TheRealness]

So what are we looking at contractually wise? A 1-2 year extension at about 10 million per? I would think that would be pretty much an automatic yes if offered to him. I also wonder if Arizona becomes an increasing possibility here if the Sox feel that they dont have enough rotation spots open for him.

Either way I wish him the best and it will be a treat to get to see Big Schill pitch a few more years, and hopefully into that hall of fame.

[Morassofnegativity]

With the state of pitching these days I don't think this is a bad thing. Schilling in his late 30's is better than the Gil Meche's of the world.

[Razor Shines]

I wouldn't be as quick to assume this decision has anything to do with the video game company. Curt could just as easily get some VC firm to fund the extra start-up capital, rather than toiling for another 2 years of grueling MLB schedules just to save more money.

If he commits himself to another 2 years of baseball, it's most likely because he's simply not ready to leave the game.

[smackdown924]

So what are we looking at contractually wise? A 1-2 year extension at about 10 million per?

I am not so sure he takes a pay cut, and I'm also not sure he signs a 2 year extension. I was supposing it will be more like a Wake "option at the end of each year' type deal, with him just getting 12mil a year for as long as both parties agree.

That's fine with me. I was nervous that this year would be our best window of opportunity with Schilling and Matsuzaka in the same rotation together, and Beckett in the 3 spot. The thought of having those 3 in the same rotation for multiple years makes me gitty.

Can you imagine facing Schilling, Matsuzaka, and Beckett in a short series?

[sfip]

Normally I wouldn't include anything from the author of this article, but it has quotes from the WEEI interview.

Schilling said his family played a big part in his decision not to hang ‘em up after this season.

"Over the last probably five to six months my wife and kids and I have been talking, and we came to conclusion about a week or 10 days ago that I was not going to retire in 2007," said Schilling. "I always believed physically I was going to be more than OK; I feel like last year, while I certainly didn't have a year like I know I could have, towards the end I became a lot healthier ...

“My wife and kids want me to continue to play, which was the only reason I was really retiring in the first place, and they talked me into it ... I was convinced [about retiring]and my family was abiding by that decision [to retire], and they talked me out of it, so I will be playing in 2008."

Edited by sfip, 29 January 2007 - 10:12 AM.

[Carmine Hose]

He also alluded to the money being thrown around this year and that he expects to his 2007 salary (~13.5 - 14.0 ?) to be the starting point for 2008.

[5belongstoGeorge]

Very good news. Quality starters are not just walking through that door.

Sign him... Please none of that bullsh*t that went on with Pedro.

[Rudy Pemberton]

He also alluded to the money being thrown around this year and that he expects to his 2007 salary (~13.5 - 14.0 ?) to be the starting point for 2008.

And there lies the problem. With Matsuzaka, Beckett, Papelbon, Wakefield (most likely), Lester, (and of course, Buchholz and Bowden and all those guys) how high do you go, and for how long? 2 years, $28M to Schilling likely requires a significant bump in team payroll as there isn't that much else coming off the books this year. Now, there's very good reason to think this is worth it as losing Schilling to a competitor and damaging good will has long term ramifications to the franchise. I can't see the Sox going much past 2 years in length at $13-$14M per though. They'll have to be creative.

[Return of the Dewey]

Very good news. Quality starters are not just walking through that door.

Sign him... Please none of that bullsh*t that went on with Pedro.

Great negotiating ploy by Schilling to put it in the FO's lap. Given the reported lengths that they've gone through to sign Clemens the last 2 seasons, they can't claim that they're scared off with age. I guess health is more of a concern with Schilling than Clemens (a la Pedro), so it should be interesting. I'd love to see them come up with a Wakefiled-like deal.

[DJnVa]

And why would you assume he'll be good?

I didn't assume anything, check my post. I simply asked why the poster that I responded to thinks he'd be cheap.

[Crazy Puppy]

The good news to me is that this suggests Schilling is feeling really good physically, which bodes well for 2007. I have mixed feelings about an extension, though. He's not going to be cheap and he's going to carry some significant risks. The difference with the Clemens situation is that the team has the benefit of having watched his most recent season before signing him. If they sign Schilling to an extension now, there's no backing out if he sucks this year or goes through an injury-riddled season. I don't see it as a slam dunk. I certainly hope that it's only a 1-year extension, through 2008, if they do agree to something prior to this year. On the other hand, the way they're throwing money around this offseason, maybe they don't really give a damn.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

The good news to me is that this suggests Schilling is feeling really good physically, which bodes well for 2007.

Eh, quite honestly every player feels great at this time of year and is in "the best shape of my life." Scott Kazmir, he of the wonky shoulder for 2 months last year, was just reported to be feeling great. I'm sure Matt Clement felt great at this point last year.

Not trying to piss in the Cheerios, but I would take Curt's comments about how he feels with a large grain of salt. He felt great in Jan. 2005 as well; he even demanded his schedule be moved up to get him back on the field faster. That didn't work out too well.

[redsoxstiff]

SOME athletes need to be dragged off the field....The competitive nature that chisled their career is overwhelming...the poor bastards are as addicted as are many smokers...

Others peeter out long before their physical abilities wane...They can't focus nor put in the increasingly onerous time and effort needed to maintain themselves above the decay of aging...or the 'good' life...

Most lose it...and earning more money than they are worth...are let go...

IMVHO...Curt is a rara avis in the Clemons/Ryan mold...with an ability to judge where he is and what he can or can't do...

I will be very comfy with him on our mound as long as he wants the ball...

The Gospel according to one old fart...

[soxfaninyankeeland]

I'd be awfully surprised if the FO's plans for Schilling's $13M 2007 salary, once it was off the books, included spending more than that $13M on a SP who was 41 years old when the new deal commenced. 1 year at the same $13M makes some sense; beyond that, not so much.

[Philip Jeff Frye]

I didn't assume anything, check my post. I simply asked why the poster that I responded to thinks he'd be cheap.

Oh, I certainly wasn't singling you out. There's an unspoken assumption here that Schilling will continue to pitch at a very high level, which is, to me at least, dubious. Even if he takes some sort of hometown discount, do we really want to rely on a post-1985 Steve Carlton or a New York Yankees Kevin Brown as part of our rotation?

[Return of the Dewey]

Even if he takes some sort of hometown discount, do we really want to rely on a post-1985 Steve Carlton or a New York Yankees Kevin Brown as part of our rotation?

The difference here, though, IMO, is that the Sox aren't "relying" on Schilling. In fact, I think they were setting themselves up for him not being here with the additions of DiceK and Beckett, along with the move of Papelbon to the rotation. Even if he never is a top-of-the-rotation starter again, that's not what the Sox will be looking for him to do over the last years of his contract. Depending on the development of Papelbon as a starter, and the progression of Lester back to ML-ready form, they could very well be looking at Schill as a 4/5 starter.

[Gehrig38]

I wouldn't be asking for a raise to play in '08, everyone involved knows that. The Sox knew well before anyone other than my family that this decision had been made.
The well wishes are nice and appreciated.
Now let's get that Helton guy over here.....

Edited by Gehrig38, 29 January 2007 - 10:49 AM.

[Delicious Sponge]

Great negotiating ploy by Schilling to put it in the FO's lap. Given the reported lengths that they've gone through to sign Clemens the last 2 seasons, they can't claim that they're scared off with age. I guess health is more of a concern with Schilling than Clemens (a la Pedro), so it should be interesting. I'd love to see them come up with a Wakefiled-like deal.

I have to believe that the reason G38 has been talking about this with his family now is that Theo has been talking to him actively about his wish to see him keep playing. I doubt that he just sort of threw this out there and surprised people with it.

[Ramon AC]

Now let's get that Helton guy over here.....

Would you be okay with Helton at the expense of Hansen and/or MDC?

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I wouldn't be asking for a raise to play in '08, everyone involved knows that. The Sox knew well before anyone other than my family that this decision had been made.
The well wishes are nice and apprciated.
Now let's get that Helton guy over here.....

When did you let the Sox know you wanted to play in '08? How many more years do you think you'd like to do this?