Veteran starting pitcher Curt Schilling has included the Indians on his short list of teams that he thinks would be a good fit for him next year. The free agent is only looking for a one-year deal which is expects to be his final year in baseball. The source, naturally, comes from the man himself on his blog titled
38 Pitches.
So just how exclusive is this list you wonder. It's so privileged in fact that only 12 teams have made the initial cut. There is no word on when or where the first rose ceremony will be held this fall though it is believed Fox Sports, with Joe Buck as host, may have the edge over ABC at this point.
Other teams to make the list are listed as follows: Indians, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Cardinals, and the Brewers.
Yes, Curt listed the Tribe first.
The real question is would the Indians take him on? Surely, they would have to consider the possibility with the potential suspension (50 games?) looming for the staff's veteran Paul Byrd. If the Indians decide Byrd isn't worth the risk to bringing back giving the circumstances, that could very well open the door for Schilling.
Though past his prime, Schilling is
still one of the better pitchers in the league when healthy and can still perform well on the big stage. The latter of which is clearly something that Curt can bring to the Indians rotation especially after their two co-aces fell apart late in the post-season. It's certainly an idea worth entertaining for the Indians' brass.
Here are a few
The Bachelor style tips for Indians GM Mark Shapiro when trying to woo Mr. Schilling before the first free agent rose ceremony...
1. Never tell him you feel "chemistry" with him. It's such a
Bachelor cliche` that Curt will see right through it. Shit, even Jesse Palmer saw through that load of crap. If the ex-Gator can see through it, anyone can.
2. Don't get wasted while trying to win him over. Curt is only looking for a one year deal after making $13 million last year. He's probably expecting something between $10-12 million. The last thing management needs is for the GM to get too hammered and hand over Curt a Carl Pavano-esque type $60 million dollar deal. Curt won't gouge you for it, but he'd be nuts to say "no" if Shapiro offers him the farm after a few too many mojitos at Blue Point...and for God's sake, don't tell him you love him.
3. Make sure your date includes Cedar Point. Anyone who has ever been to the is amusement park knows that this is a living mullet metropolis. This place could be the closer that makes Curt realize this is where he belongs...for a one year deal. The key is choosing the right time to unveil this. The Tribe shouldn't blow this wad too soon and lose him to the fucking Mets because they took him here the first night.
We've all seen this guy at Cedar Point.4. Know who your friends are, but keep your enemies closer. Drama and cat fights are always inevitable on the open market. Clearly, there are going to be plenty of free spending suitors out there. Dodgers, Cubs, and the Mets are just a few obvious examples. However, don't forget about the Tigers. Detroit has proven they like to go for the jugular on the market and must be watched at all times. None of these conniving sluts should be trusted at the owner's meetings.
5. Keep your other options open. It seems every reality show like this has that chick who "technically" still has a boyfriend back home and all hell breaks loose when the girls find out. Always an underrated TV moment. If your the Indians, you have to keep your options open as well. They still have to figure out if they are going to pay C.C. Sabathia, find a closer (?), and a right handed bat for the line up. If they pay too much attention on Curt, they could miss out on other opportunities.
6. Don't cry if Curt takes a pass on you. Nothing beats the drunk girls crying to the camera at the end of the show about why they should be the one. Ok, nothing except for when they choose to trash the limo or break plants outside as well. Either way, it's inevitable many fans will flood the local talk show hosts like Tony Rizzo's
Really Big Show or the horrendous Munch show as they scream about how once again we were used to drive up the market price.
I would give advice for the last point, but as a life long Clevelander I am now numb to the pain. However, one promising point about Curt's list is that he put it together according to places his family is willing to live along with who can win
right now. The Indians have earned the invite, now it's time to get it done.
Read the complete post at http://kidcleveland.blogspot.com/2007/10/indians-and-schilling-mutual-pining.html