After scanning an up-to-the-minute list of free agents, we at The Phillies/Baseball Blog have made an editorial decision. We're going to introduce a new recurring feature called "Keeping Up With Curt," which hopefully will reveal some of what newly declared free agent Curt Schilling is thinking in his pursuit of employment next season.You see, as a first-time free agent (he filed yesterday, sometime before or after the World Series parade through Boston), Schilling is representing himself. Schill also likes to speak directly with his fans via his blog and regular radio show on WEEI in Boston. And, in his first communiques yesterday after becoming a free agent, Schilling sounded like a man who has pitched his last game for the Sox. "There's a very realistic chance I won't ever play" for the team again, he said on WEEI. He added that the Sox remain his first choice, but if they're unwilling to meet his contact demands, he also has provided this list of other potential destinations.
In Schilling's own words ...
The list of teams that our family has talked over, that we think would be a fit for next year, should we not come back, are pretty much teams in cities we agree would be OK for our last year, and teams I think have a legitimate shot at being in the post season and/or World Series. Teams we didn’t include aren’t for any one reason. There are a million little things that go into this from stadiums to school districts to travel to spring training to etc. etc. etc. but the list represents the teams after Boston that have some of the off the field things that are big to us, plus the potential to go into October next year.
Cleveland, Detroit, Anaheim, New York Mets, Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A., S.D., Arizona, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis, Milwaukee
So, the Phillies have made the first cut. If Schilling is sincere about taking a one-year contract, the Phillies' interest in him will skyrocket. (Remember: Pat Gillick abhors long-term deals; a one-year contract is right in his wheelhouse). But will Schilling want to come back to a place where he burned some bridges in the past? And will he want to pitch in The Bank? Don't forget: when Schilling pitched here previously, the Phils were still playing at the Vet.
These are all questions that will be answered over the next 4-6 weeks, and we'll keep you posted on future episodes of "Keeping Up With Curt" (KUWC, for short). For the next two weeks, though, any discussions Schilling has with the Phillies can't involve money. The Phils simply can gauge his interest and his length-of-contract demands. But the Sox are the only team that can negotiate salary with him. After the two-week window, it's a free-for-all.
So, do you want Schilling back in Philly? Discuss.
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UPDATE (10:30 p.m.): Kyle Lohse and Freddy Garcia were among the 21 players to file for free agency Wednesday, bringing the total pool to 121 players. Scroll down a couple of posts to find the first 100 players who filed on Monday and Tuesday. At the end of the week, I'll re-post the full list, but here's the latest batch:
Starters: Freddy Garcia (Phillies), Tom Glavine (NY Mets), Byung-Hyun Kim (Florida), Kyle Lohse (Phillies), Rodrigo Lopez (Colorado), Odalis Perez (Kansas City), Steve Trachsel (Baltimore), Jeff Weaver (Seattle)
Cleveland, Detroit, Anaheim, New York Mets, Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A., S.D., Arizona, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis, Milwaukee
So, the Phillies have made the first cut. If Schilling is sincere about taking a one-year contract, the Phillies' interest in him will skyrocket. (Remember: Pat Gillick abhors long-term deals; a one-year contract is right in his wheelhouse). But will Schilling want to come back to a place where he burned some bridges in the past? And will he want to pitch in The Bank? Don't forget: when Schilling pitched here previously, the Phils were still playing at the Vet.
These are all questions that will be answered over the next 4-6 weeks, and we'll keep you posted on future episodes of "Keeping Up With Curt" (KUWC, for short). For the next two weeks, though, any discussions Schilling has with the Phillies can't involve money. The Phils simply can gauge his interest and his length-of-contract demands. But the Sox are the only team that can negotiate salary with him. After the two-week window, it's a free-for-all.
So, do you want Schilling back in Philly? Discuss.
*
UPDATE (10:30 p.m.): Kyle Lohse and Freddy Garcia were among the 21 players to file for free agency Wednesday, bringing the total pool to 121 players. Scroll down a couple of posts to find the first 100 players who filed on Monday and Tuesday. At the end of the week, I'll re-post the full list, but here's the latest batch:Starters: Freddy Garcia (Phillies), Tom Glavine (NY Mets), Byung-Hyun Kim (Florida), Kyle Lohse (Phillies), Rodrigo Lopez (Colorado), Odalis Perez (Kansas City), Steve Trachsel (Baltimore), Jeff Weaver (Seattle)
Relievers: Eric Gagne (Boston), Ron Villone (NY Yankees)
Catchers: Rod Barajas (Phillies), Mike Lieberthal (LA Dodgers), Yorvit Torrealba (Colorado)
First basemen: Mike Sweeney (Kansas City)
Second basemen: Ramon Martinez (LA Dodgers)
Outfielders: Mike Cameron (San Diego), Cliff Floyd (Chi. Cubs), Luis Gonzalez (LA Dodgers), Andruw Jones (Atlanta), Corey Patterson (Baltimore), Brad Wilkerson (Texas)
3 comments:
"Don't forget: when Schilling pitched here previously, the Phils were still playing at the Vet."
Thanks for that reminder, it seemed like just yesterday Curt pitched this gem.
Yes, for the same reason Gillick likes him , a short term contract.
Schilling may be opinionated, but I think Phillies fans agreed with most of what he said when he was here ... i.e. the team did not demonstrate its dedication to winning by increasing its payroll to a competitive amount. Regardless of what the media or owners thing about Schilling - the man knows how to pitch and knows how to win. He may not be as "sugar and honey" with young hurlers as Moyer, but his "salt and vinegar" approach can also be effective. I would bring him back in a heartbeat.
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