Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Schilling and Sox Agree to $8 Million Deal for 2008!!!

When I go to Spring Training in March '08 I expect to see Curt Schilling in this condition. Damn! If I have a "weigh in clause" which provides me with #2 million extra in my contract? I am back to Weight Watchers EVERY WEEK!!!
Schilling Inks One-Year Deal


Veteran righty gets $8 million contract to return to Boston


By Mike Petraglia / Special to MLB.com



Curt Schilling will earn a base salary of $8 million in 2008, but incentives could make the one-year deal worth up to $14 million.


'The Red Sox and veteran right-hander Curt Schilling have agreed on a one-year, $8 million deal that could be worth as much as $14 million should he reach all the incentives in the package. The team and Schilling both confirmed the one-year contract Tuesday afternoon while Schilling, on his 38pitches.com blog, included the details.';



BOSTON -- There will be no tearful goodbyes this offseason for Curt Schilling.


The Red Sox and the veteran right-hander have agreed on a one-year, $8 million deal that could be worth as much as $14 million should he reach all the incentives in the package.


The team and Schilling both confirmed the contract Tuesday afternoon, with Schilling, on his 38pitches.com blog, detailing the pay structure.


The right-hander can earn an additional $2 million in weight incentives (based on six weigh-ins), $3 million based on innings pitched and $1 million if he earns one Cy Young Award vote.
"I inserted the weigh-in clause in the second round of offers, counter-offers," said Schilling. "Given the mistakes I made last winter and into Spring Training I needed to show them I recognized that, and understood the importance of it. Being overweight and out of shape are two different things. I also was completely broadsided by the fact that your body doesn't act/react the same way as you get older. Even after being told that for the first 39 years of my life."
Schilling, who filed for free agency on Oct. 30, returns for a fifth season in Boston after originally being acquired in a trade with Arizona in November 2003. In 2007, the right-hander, who turns 41 on Nov. 14, was 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 24 regular-season starts.


He posted the second lowest ERA among Red Sox starters and finished fourth on the staff in wins, starts, innings (151), and strikeouts (101). Schilling was on the disabled list from June 19 to Aug. 6 with right shoulder tendinitis before returning to post a 3.34 ERA in his final nine regular-season starts. He allowed just 23 walks, an average of 1.37 per nine innings, and came within one out of his first career no-hitter in a 1-0 complete game victory on June 7 in Oakland. "Some miscellaneous things were agreed upon as addendums as well," wrote Schilling. "Any discussions about this will focus on many points, [and] that will miss the point. Did I 'leave' money on the table? Yes. Could I have gotten another year? I think so."


The righty, who talked with advisor Ed Hayes, assessed the market place and current free-agent crop, as well as existing contracts, and thought he could have earned around $14-15 million for a one-year deal with the potential to get $25-30 million for a two-year deal.


Schilling and his wife, Shonda, "were very clear on this from the outset: we wanted no more than a year. We wanted to stay here. So while there will be points of debate, they'll all miss the point. We got exactly what we wanted, and then some. This is where we want our career to come to a close. This city, this team. This is where we want to retire, raise our kids and walk away."


In the end, Schilling felt the Red Sox made him a deal he couldn't refuse.


"We got it, all of it, and more," said Schilling. "Did I get too little? ... I would argue that one of the top three pitchers of all time just signed a $10 million deal. [Agent] Scott Boras could argue that one of his clients is certainly worth more than [Greg] Maddux, [but] I can't. Actually, he would be arguing that one of his clients is worth more than another of his clients. is worth more than another of his clients. Right? [The] bottom line is Mr. [John] Henry, Mr. [Tom] Werner, Mr. [Larry] Lucchino, Theo, [manager Terry Francona] and [pitching coach] John [Farrell] wanted me to come back, and I wanted to be back. So it's all good.


"Saying it's not 'about the money' is a lie, too. Both sides have a price. At some number I was not a viable option for the Red Sox, and at another number the Sox might have become a non-contender to us, but we both wanted this to happen, and it did. Contrary to what some 'insiders' think they know, they don't. Theo and I have an enormously respectful and friendly relationship, and the same can be said for all three owners."


Schilling may have helped himself with another stellar postseason, winning three times without a loss and improving his career postseason mark to 11-2.


"Theo and I spoke early in the week about wanting to complete this before the exclusive period ended and the [General Manager] Meetings began, because we both thought there could be a scenario popping up that might make this less desirable," Schilling penned. "He has to run this team, and I needed to do what was best and right for my family. Allowing external influences to change our opinions of each other might have been an unavoidable strain neither side wanted.
"I've already heard from Josh [Beckett] and [Tim Wakefield], and [I] am excited to know that my last year in the game will be with a team that has another legitimate chance to win the World Series."


Mike Petraglia is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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