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Curt is on his last hoorah...

There's no reason to give Schilling an extension unless he cuts them such a great deal (half price?) that it would be in the Sox's financial interests to do so. I'll never understand how most players feel free to be complete mercenaries, yet they're always calling for loyalty, claiming they're being dissed when their name surfaces in trade talks, etc. If it's a business, it's a business. Wear a cup.

In my view, Theo and the brass gave Boras a good rogering -- a public shaming, even -- by holding their ground on the Matsuzaka contract negotiations, so more power to 'em. Curt, you want to file for free agency? Good. It's a contract year, then, so pitch your **** off.

$100M for unproven MLB talent is holding their ground? Sorry but I disagree, the organization is tight in all the wrong places, i.e. let fan favorite and lineup firestarter Johnny Damon go because of money...then sign perennial DL guru JD Drew and 31 year old Julio Lugo to astronomical contracts? Schilling may be old, but he is still their #1 starter, how could they "Johnny Damon" him?

You make fair points about the potential foolishness of the Sox's investments this off-season. But in the Matsuzaka salary negotiations, Boras and the Sox put up their markers, the Sox barely budged, and Boras caved. That's what I meant.

They should play hardball with Schilling, make him prove he can drag 13 mil at age 41. If he's as mature as his years would suggest, I suspect he knows, respects, and is merely countering the team's moves. Manny would pout. Schilling can probably handle it.

Aren't the Yankees doing the exact same with Rivera?

Seems like the same thing with Rivera. It makes sense to wait. Pitchers break down too often and too easily. When any team tries to approach with some little bit of fiscal sanity, the howls immediately start. That said: can't really attach the words fiscal sanity to any team that signs JD Drew for 70 mill for 5 years. And don't worry Carulli, he ain't showing up in pinstripes--his choice and the Yankees, too.

Any Red Sox fan knows that Schilling's best years are behind him. They, I guess, could use him for this season, but we already have 7 starting pitchers, maybe 8 if the Rocket comes back, which I think I speak for everyone among RSN when I say "SCREW ROGER". Anyway, it's clear he's going to have a ho hum season. Sure, he'll a couple "magical" outings, just like every wiley vet has from time to time. But there is no way Schill will be able to throw 8 inning gems in the next couple years like he used to.

It's very easy to understand this from both sides...Schilling represents himself (has no agent) and knows that the best way to create value for himself is through the media. Obviously it's working becuase everyone north of Hartford is asking the same questions. Schilling also understands that pitchers like Carlos Zambrano will be a free agent next year AND the Red Sox have great young arms that could easily displace Schilling in '08.

Meanwhile, Theo has to deal with the distraction piece. No one uses the media better than Schilling and if he starts the season on fire, Theo will be scrutinized.

As for letting Damon go and bringing in Lugo and Drew, I simply say, "In Theo We Trust". I remember everyone saying the exact same things in '04 when Nomar was traded.

My predictions...Schilling will sign a one-year extension with the Sox in May. Manny will be traded in the '08 offseason, AND...[brace yourself], A-Rod will opt out of his NY contract and join the Sox.

Wow BK, you really think that Arod would become a Red Sox? I don't know, do we really even want him anymore? I can't imagine how badly he would be booed in Yankee Stadium wearing a Sox cap. He could become the most hated man in America if that were to actually happen.

A-Rod isn't going to opt out of his contract. He would leave a crap load of money on the table, cause no one is going to pay him the same kind of money...just not going to happen. Opting out would break his bank roll...and that's something that A-Rod really cares about...it might even be the ONLY thing he cares about.

You don't think a team would give A-Rod $18-20 million for 5 years? Wow. Just remember that his agent is Boras and there's a history of this happening. I think it's pretty clear that A-Rod wants out of NY and I'm willing to bet that he would take a hair cut...a trimming to leave.

He'd play for the Mets before the Red Sox. I don't think we want him

Mets were turned off by Boras's demands back when he signed with the Rangers. Don't think they'd line up to try him now. Especially with Reyes at short and Wright at third. And with all that money they're paying Beltran and Delgado, etc. And why, unless the money was even bigger, would Arod want to stay in NY if he leaves the Yanks? Maybe Seattle or Texas? (What? Been there done that?)

BK - Remember that the Rangers basically outbid themselves, and way overpaid him in the first place...because of the Boras magic...but 3 things have happened since then...

Boras' magic hasn't been working all that well...teams are turned off of dealing with the prick.

A-Rod's performance and media presence have taken a hit.

People realize that the $250mil contract was a stupid one.

And even if A-rod got $18mil per from a team...he's getting 25 right now...trust me, neither A-Rod or Boras are going to leave that on the table. Boras will try to force a trade first.

And I can't believe anyone in the Red Sox nation would want this prick.

No one does, as I pointed out in my original comments ;)

I'd take him on my team. The guy would hit 40-50 HR's at Fenway and would be a great right-handed bat to protect Ortiz if Manny leaves. I would prefer Andruw Jones, since that would also solve CF woes, but I'd have no problem with him in my lineup and playing SS/3B.

Remember, two years ago, RSN bitched because Ortiz should have been MVP, which means we were basically saying...A-Rod is only Top-3 in the AL. Is he clutch? Not really, but he did own the Red Sox in the ALCS for most of Games 1-4. If Rivera saves the game like every other one, A-Rod probably would have a ring, a new reputation, and we wouldn't be having this conversation.

I'll take my chances.