Schillings Schoulder is Schitty
Curt Schilling is praying. Not just for a John McCain victory in the upcoming election, but for the shoulder fairy to come along and help him keep his $8 million.
Last year he showed up fat and out of shape, as you can see in this picture taken in January 2007. This year, it looks like he did so much work in the off season that he ended up blowing his shoulder out in February. The details haven’t come out yet, but based on the talk of shoulder injury and surgery, it seems as though this is a rotator cuff/labrum issue. And if surgery really is the best medical route, we’re talking tears here.
Last year, when he was hurt, it was just fatigue, at least supposedly. But remember, he was fine in Oakland when he was a Shannon Stewart away from a no-hitter. But he blew that, and ended up throwing 100 pitches that day. In his next start, he was shelled which eventually led to his stint on the DL. He wasn’t the same pitcher after than, admittedly so, but you can’t say he didn’t pitch well the rest of the year. He still won 3 post season games for the Sox.
But in the end, its looking like he is just too old. The Sox were right not to sign him for this year until they had proven he could do it all year last year. Even though he only proved how fragile he was, he still came through in the post season, and lets face it, that is what its all about. But I’m sorry Curt, if you can’t even start the season healthy, I don’t care how much you way. You’ve at least proven to us that you are not a pitcher we can rely on. Maybe you’ll still make a few starts, but does anyone think he will really make 25-30 starts this year and be the Schilling that was brought here in 2004? I don’t. And remember… If Schilling isn’t in the rotation to start the season, that means that the guy who actually did pull off a no-hitter last year will be instead.
Clay Buchholtz! This is the guy you really want making starts this year.
So there is really no reason to pusch the Schill. Let him sit on the DL and earn his $8 million by mentoring the young guys and making some mid-season starts. Let’s keep him fresh for the post season because that is where his experience can really play out.
Stumble it!
February 8th, 2008 at 9:15 am
According to 38pitches Schilling will not have any medical procedures and nothing is torn. He indicates that he will follow the advise of the team and rehab the shoulder. I’m glad Theo didn’t trade the young pitching because 2005/06 taught all of us that you can never have enough pitching.
Good luck Schill…hope you make a speedy comeback!
February 14th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
This will probably end up being better for the Sox. Schilling should onyl pitch half the year anyways b/c he’s so old (see: Clemens) that you want to save him for when it counts - in July and onward. Plus the young kids like Lester and Buchholz get some experience in the beginning of the season, when younger pitchers are better, anyways.