Caution sign for the Sox?

The Red Sox just got through dealing with trade discussions involving Todd Helton that went public, as the Rockies leaked the names of Mike Lowell and Julian Tavarez, forcing the Sox to telephone the players to explain.

The last thing they want is another open business meeting. But so far, that's what they're getting regarding Curt Schilling's desire not to retire after the 2007 season.

Schilling announced his desire to continue playing Monday on WEEI, and yesterday, when asked about his contract status beyond this season, indicated he wants a deal done by the end of spring training. But he stopped short of a making a deadline. "Nope. No line in the sand," he said.

"There won't be any distractions in questioning because if I don't have a contract before the season starts, then I'll get a contract after the 2007 season, as a free agent," Schilling said yesterday at an event for SHADE, his wife, Shonda's, skin cancer prevention organization.

"As Curt mentioned, he and [general manager] Theo [Epstein] have talked about pitching for the Red Sox beyond 2007," said assistant GM Jed Hoyer. "As is our policy with all contract negotiations, we are not going to offer any comments or updates during the process."

Epstein is out of the country on vacation, but prior to leaving indicated the Sox brain trust has not met to discuss how to handle Schilling's desire to continue playing.

The Sox would want Schilling to return if he had another productive season in 2007, but the question is, will they commit this far in advance? They weren't saying yesterday.

Schilling remains an extremely popular figure in Boston, beloved after his bloody-sock performance in Game 6 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the Yankees. Schilling also rescued the Sox in 2005, working out of the bullpen when Keith Foulke was injured. Last season, Schilling went 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA.

The 207-game winner announced last season that '07 would be his last, but changed his mind over the last couple of weeks after conferring with his wife and children.

Schilling told reporters yesterday he would accept the same $13 million he pitched for last season in 2008, and indicated the money is "not a very big deal to me."

Schilling, 40, wondered whether the team had different ideas about his salary. He also indicated he would not be receptive to the team watching how he performs at the start of this season before deciding on a contract for '08.

"That's not going to happen," Schilling said. "I think I've earned the right to do one or the other. If they don't think the risk is worth the reward, or vice versa, I get that."

Schilling has seen other pitchers 40 and older get good deals. Randy Johnson, 43, who was traded from the Yankees to the Diamondbacks Jan. 9 for reliever Luis Vizcaino and three prospects, agreed to a two-year contract for $26 million.

Johnson got a $12 million signing bonus, of which $3.5 million is payable this year, $500,000 in 2008, and $4 million each in '09 and '10. The Big Unit gets salaries of $4 million this year and $10 million in 2008.

The Sox last season extended a prorated $21.1111 million offer to Roger Clemens, which still appears to be on the table if the 44-year-old former Sox great wants to return to Boston.

Sox principal owner John Henry has welcomed the idea of Schilling pitching for the Sox beyond this season. But the question in the coming weeks will be, can they get it done on Schilling's timetable?

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report; Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.