Hurry Up and Wait For Schilling

Curt Schilling announced yesterday that he will become a free agent after the 2007 season, as the Red Sox have decided no to offer him a new contract before the season begins. Says Theo Epstein:

"Curt's going to be 41 and at that age we get a little more conservative," Epstein said. "That doesn't mean we don't want him back. We have all the confidence in the world that Curt wants to pitch in 2008, and if he pitches effectively as I expect he will, we'll find a way to keep him in a Red Sox uniform. It doesn't make sense from a business standpoint right now to guarantee that kind of money a year in advance to a 41-year-old. Again, that doesn't change how we feel about Curt, his place in the organization. No. 1, he's our Opening Day starter and we couldn't be happier about that."

I've already discussed the benefits associated with locking up a pitcher of Schilling's caliber before his declaration of free agency. It makes sense, financially, not lock $13 million into a 41 year old, husky pitcher, but there is always the sentimental attachement to Schill. Here's his take:

"Disappointing? Yeah, but it's something I understood coming in was a possibility. That's the way it happens sometimes. That's a decision they made. Whether you like it or not, it's the way things are."

I don't expect Schilling to make much of this during the season, though Lord knows the media will now have another card in their deck of stories to cover when there isn't actually a story. So, it's sad we won't have the emotional security, but makes perfect sense in this cold, cold world of ours.