Curt Schilling (37 years old, Arizona Diamondbacks), MVP of the 2001 World Series, is close to going to Boston Red Sox.
On November 25, major U.S. press, including sports exclusive channel ESPN, altogether reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to trade Schilling.
The main concern of this trade is that Arizona gives up Schilling and takes on left-handed pitcher Casey Fossum, right-handed pitcher Brandon Lyon, and an up-and-coming minor league player from Boston. This will allow them to take advantage of the deal to bring in Milwaukees powerful first baseman Richie Sexson in a three-way trade.
Schilling announced to the reporters who had rushed to his house in Phoenix, Arizona, I received a trade offer from Boston. Schilling, who has a no-trade clause and the right to refuse a trade, has 72 hours to determine whether or not he will accept this deal after discussing with Boston.
Schilling, who is under contract with Arizona until next season, is scheduled to get $12 million with the chance to earn almost $2 million more in performance bonuses. He said, I will not leave here unless a new multi-year contract is guaranteed. I am ready to ask for a three-year contract.
Schilling wants to go to a contending team, so if Boston guarantees a multi-year contract, the deal is likely to be accomplished. He went just 8-9 due to the injury this year, but he is a big time pitcher who had 22 victories in 2001 and 24 victories in 2002.
If this trade is done as expected, it will negatively affect Kim Byung-hyun of Boston, who played with Schilling while he was in Arizona.
Boston will form a one-two punch with Pedro Martinez if Schilling joins the team, and Derek Lowe and Tim Wakefield will be the third and fourth starters respectively. Kim Byung-hyun, who is aiming to be a starter, will have a smaller role on this team.
In addition that Boston trying to sign Oaklands great free agent closer Keith Foulke, so the guess is that they are preparing for Kims departure.