SCHILLING DEAL APPEARS NEAR

While all of the early attention of the Red Sox off-season has focused on third baseman Mike Lowell, all eyes are now focused on a signing which could very well be announced shortly. The Boston Herald reported on Monday evening that veteran starting pitcher Curt Schilling is “close” to signing a one-year deal to remain with the team.

Schilling had listed 13 teams as a possible destination for what he termed as his last season in 2008 before retiring. However, talks took place on Sunday with Boston which prompted Schilling to say to the Herald those talks were “gathering momentum” and that he felt a deal could potentially be reached. Schilling passing a physical was mentioned by the paper as the final hurdle in reaching an agreement between the two parties. The AP reported that a deal could be announced within a few days.

Signing Schilling would allow the Red Sox to monitor the innings thrown by young pitchers Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz and provide the Red Sox with depth in the starting rotation. If Schilling were to sign with another organization general manager Theo Epstein had expressed that the team could potentially be in the market to make a trade for a veteran pitcher. An announcement of a deal with Schilling would cross that off of Epstein’s off-season list.

Schilling ended the season with a 9-8 record with a 3.87 era. He spent some time on the disabled list and was forced to re-invent himself from a power pitcher to a control pitcher. He was successful with the transformation. In the Red Sox run to the World Series title, Schilling posted a 3-0 mark with a 3.00 era in four starts. He earned the mound victory in Game 2 of the WS in a 2-1 Red Sox win over Colorado. Schilling departed the game in the top of the Sixth inning and waved his cap to the Fenway Park crowd which was giving the veteran starter a standing ovation. Many believed it would be Schilling’s last appearance in a Red Sox uniform.
Now it appears likely that Schilling will retire as a member of the Boston organization. This would be his fifth year with the Red Sox and his 21st overall. Schilling has accumulated a career mark of 216 – 146 with a 3.46 era. He has 3,116 career strikeouts. In the post-season the right-hander is 11-2 with a 2.23 era in 19 post-season starts.

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