Schilling Should Stay with the Red Sox
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Published by Will Hoover on November 4, 2007 01:31 pm under Free Agents, Red Sox
When Boston’s World Series roster was announced and Tim Wakefield’s name wasn’t on it, was it a sign of things to come for Curt Schilling? Wakefield’s health could a deciding factor for the future of Schilling staying in Boston. Oh, the irony.
After a two-month trip to the DL with shoulder tendonitis, Schilling announced to the world that his pitching style had changed. He claimed he has made a seamless transition from a power to finesse pitcher, and based on the late regular and post-season results, you can’t argue with him. Schilling could no longer consistently blow the fastball by hitters; he needed to have more command to be effective. He is now a competitive marksman, a fine complement to his power four-seam teammates Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka.
2007 was a season of transition for Schilling, one where he watched his mantel as Boston’s ace pass to Beckett, then watched Matsuzaka become the team’s number two starter. Schilling rarely if ever complained; he’s a good soldier who said all the right things. He took the demotion in stride, seizing the opportunity to be a clubhouse leader and demonstrate his value to the team in other ways. He did all this with dignity and grace, relishing the chance to help develop Boston’s young arms, much like Roger Clemens did for the Astros and Yankees over the past three years. It’s no surprise Schilling would have that same impact for the Sox. Both men are legendary pitchers who can use that status to be unparalleled mentors.
Schilling still has excellent mound presence, and as long as he’s on the hill, he will want to be the guy with the ball when the game is on the line. He’s no longer a guy who can dominate opposing line-ups for seven or more innings, but he remains effective and reliable as a five-six inning starter. Schilling must now be creative, adjusting to hitters and changing his pitch sequences. Advance/video scouting has always been important to Schilling’s game preparation, but now it’s vital. (Meticulous game preparation is another aspect of Schilling the Sox would love to have rub off on their younger pitchers.)
In 2008, Boston will have Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz in the rotation. And with the health and performance uncertainties surrounding the 41-year-old Wakefield, the Sox need a reliable veteran in the rotation who can show these guys how to keep winning. Remember too, if Pitching Coach John Farrell departs for the managerial job in Pittsburgh, Schilling’s strong presence would be needed even more.
Finally, starting pitching is always a premium, and this year’s free agent market is a shallow one. Need proof? Carlos Silva is the best arm out there. Really, there shouldn’t be any question about bringing Schilling back, especially since he only wants a one-year deal and will likely give the Sox a hometown discount.
Schilling’s two-year totals
Year W L IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA *lgERA WHIP
2006 15 - 7 204.0 220 90 90 28 28 183 3.97 4.75 1.216
2007 9 - 8 151.0 165 68 65 21 23 101 3.87 4.74 1.245
2007 Post Season
3-0 23.3 25 7 7 3 3 16 3.00 * 1.17
If the Sox were willing to pay Roger Clemens $18 million to be five/six inning pitcher for three quarters of a season in ‘07, bringing Schilling back in 08’ for $13 million is a no-brainer. Both are Red Sox icons, but only one has brought two World Series championships to Boston. It’s not like the Red Sox wouldn’t have options with Schilling.
A quasi-Clemens schedule wouldn’t be a bad idea, given how effective Schilling was with five or more days of rest. The Sox might allow Schilling to start once a week (i.e., every Sunday), go to a six-man rotation, or start Schilling’s schedule later in the season, with regularly scheduled rests.
Considering how strong he came back from the DL, one more year of Schilling should be a done deal. In 2007, the SOX gave J.D. Drew $15 million for 12 games of outstanding production leading to their second World Series win in four years. Surely Schilling, and another World Series victory in 2008, is worth $13 million.
