Monday, November 24, 2003
Curt Schilling to Boston for Casey Fossum is being reported by Peter Gammons. Fossum would then move onto the home of cheap beer for Richie Sexson. Schilling has a no trade clause and implied he would only accept a deal if his new team extended his contract. Whispers have also emerged that Schilling, being a flyball pitcher, was against pitching at Fenway. Schilling has 72 hours to make a decision.
On the field, this is a no brainer. If healthy, Schilling is one of the best starting pitchers on the planet. Power pitchers with great control are very rare. His only small weakness, as a flyball pitcher, is that he is susceptible to the tall jack. Fossum COULD be a good starter, but questions linger about whether his frame can handle 200 innings and if he can develop a third pitch. If not, Fossum is a late relief pitcher or fairly fungible asset.
Now onto the dollars, Schilling is in the last year of his contract. He is to be paid $12 million for 2004, but half is deferred. Schilling would only cost the Sox $6 million in 2004 which is the good part. The unknown is how much would the Sox pickup of the Schilling's deferred salary totaling $16 million. The Sox commitment and the pay out dates of the deferred salary should impact the terms of the contract extension offer that is necessary for Schilling to approve a deal. Even though Schilling has shown no signs of slowing down, he is a pitcher coming off an injury at 37. The Sox should not commit to more than a $20 million (future + deferred salary) over two years to Schilling. The dollars after 2006 is somewhat meaningless. If the numbers still do not work, throw Junior Spivey's contract in the mix as well. Spivey turning the DP with Nomar is a nice thought. Fossum is nearing arbitration eligibility. He is not a valuable commodity - a prospect soon to be making good money. The D'backs appear to be aware of this, although they have a wealth of pitching, and the Brewers organization is, well, drunk.
I am not sure if any of this is making sense. I am in never-never-land (not the ranch) dreaming about a rotation of Pedro, Schilling, Lowe, Wake and Kim.
On the field, this is a no brainer. If healthy, Schilling is one of the best starting pitchers on the planet. Power pitchers with great control are very rare. His only small weakness, as a flyball pitcher, is that he is susceptible to the tall jack. Fossum COULD be a good starter, but questions linger about whether his frame can handle 200 innings and if he can develop a third pitch. If not, Fossum is a late relief pitcher or fairly fungible asset.
Now onto the dollars, Schilling is in the last year of his contract. He is to be paid $12 million for 2004, but half is deferred. Schilling would only cost the Sox $6 million in 2004 which is the good part. The unknown is how much would the Sox pickup of the Schilling's deferred salary totaling $16 million. The Sox commitment and the pay out dates of the deferred salary should impact the terms of the contract extension offer that is necessary for Schilling to approve a deal. Even though Schilling has shown no signs of slowing down, he is a pitcher coming off an injury at 37. The Sox should not commit to more than a $20 million (future + deferred salary) over two years to Schilling. The dollars after 2006 is somewhat meaningless. If the numbers still do not work, throw Junior Spivey's contract in the mix as well. Spivey turning the DP with Nomar is a nice thought. Fossum is nearing arbitration eligibility. He is not a valuable commodity - a prospect soon to be making good money. The D'backs appear to be aware of this, although they have a wealth of pitching, and the Brewers organization is, well, drunk.
I am not sure if any of this is making sense. I am in never-never-land (not the ranch) dreaming about a rotation of Pedro, Schilling, Lowe, Wake and Kim.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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