All-Star pitcher Schilling could be headed to Boston
The Boston Red Sox are close to making a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks that could bring All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling back to the Red Sox organization, the Boston Globe learned late today.
Arizona Diamondbacks' pitcher Curt Schilling throws in a 2002 game against the Atlanta Braves.
(AFP Photo)
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Globe senior baseball writer Gordon Edes has also learned that Sox general manager Theo Epstein and team owner John Henry will fly to Arizona on Wednesday to talk to Schilling about joining the Sox pitching staff.
Schilling would have to approve any deal and the Red Sox would have to grant Schilling a three-year contract extension because he does not want to be faced with being traded again before he ends his career.
The Red Sox are reported to be offering pitchers Casey Fossum, Jorge De La Rosa and Brandon Lyon to Arizona, along with outfielder Michael Goss, in trade for Schilling.
This afternoon ESPN.com reported that their earlier story about a deal in the works that would have Schilling come to Boston, Fossum and a prospect go to the Milwaukee Brewers, and Brewers first baseman Ritchie Sexson to Arizona, was incorrect.
The newest ESPN report by ESPN's Peter Gammons says that the deal in the works now only involves the Sox and the Diamondbacks.
Gammons reported that any deal involving Sexson leaving the Brewers would be separate and not involve Schilling moving from Arizona.
The 37-year-old Schilling began his career as a prospect in the Boston farm system but never played for the major league club. He was part of a 1988 deal with the Orioles that landed Mike Boddicker in Boston. He went just 8-9 with a 2.95 ERA in an injury-shortened 2003, but won 23 games in 2002 for Arizona. He has also pitched for Philadelphia and Houston.
The fact that Schilling pitched for the Phillies when Terry Francona was his manager adds intrigue to today's trade reports. Francona is seen by many as the man who will become the next Red Sox skipper.
With Schilling as a member of their starting staff, to go along with Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, the Red Sox would indeed have one of the more formidable rotations in all of baseball. For his career, Schilling is 163-117 with a 3.33 ERA. He has been regarded as the top offseason trade target of the Yankees, who stepped back in their pursuit when the Diamondbacks asked for Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson in return.
Since the Phillies traded Schilling to Arizona in 2000, the fireballer was 58-28. The tandem of Schilling and Randy Johnson led the Diamondbacks to the World Series title in 2001.
