Schilling traded to Red Sox

[Vern Gagne 0]

Big Whoop. Better than Hillenbrand.

[the pinjockey 0]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, since I doubt you saw more than a few Phillies games.  But Placido Polanco certainly does not suck.

 

With the pop he added this year, he is now a 2B capable of giving you:

 

.300/20/65 with 20 steals, a solid number of walks, never strikes out, rarely gets caught stealing, and is a terrific fielder.

 

And he is the guy who made it reasonable to talk trades for Chase Utley, one of their top hitting prospects.

Polanco's an average offensive player looking at his career. He's a solid hitter usually hitting a little above .280 or so. RBI's don't mean much as that largely depends on his teammates and how often they can get on base but as long as they have Thome, he should be a fair RBI producer(50-75 range per year). He doesn't strike out much however he doesn't walk as much as he possibly could. He set a career high of only 42 walks this past season(I'm aware it was only in 492 AB's) so his OBP isn't that great but if he improves his walks then that'll only improve the Phils. As far as the stealing goes, he's not much of a base threat since his previous high was only 12 SB's. He is solid in terms of not getting caught which means a fairly high & rate but the fact that he runs so little doesn't make it that impressive.

As far as his career, he was 27 last year, so he is starting to get into his prime years. There is no reason to expect he won't be like most other players who succeed in those years.

 

For his walks, he was never a big walker, but he was also hitting in the 2 hole much of the year. Once Marlon Byrd exploded in front of him, his role became to move him along, not to walk. You may agree or disagree with that style of ball, but he was just playing his role. Notice Pre-All Star Break he walked 16 more times than Post All-Star Break in only 100 more ABs.

 

Also, when playing 2B, he hit .302 with a .373 OBP (which would rank 4th in the majors among 2B last year behind only Vidro, Giles, and Castillo). Once Bell got put on the DL and they moved him he ran into a slump.

 

And his steals are impressive to me. Again, he is in the two hole. He shouldn't be stealing a lot, but he knows when to do it. If he wanted to rack up steals he probably could get around 30, but he knows better than to do it.

[the pinjockey 0]

Plus Polanco's head is one of the strangest things I have ever seen. His temples are huge. First time my sister ever saw him, she thought he had got hit the last AB and it swelled up. Ah...good times, good times.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

btw i didnt see any mention of it but hopefully Foulke is on the way too

last I heard he was headed back to Oakland because the Red Sox don't want to match the 4th year that Oakland is. Fine by me, I like Williamson as the closer...younger and cheaper

[Bored 0]

I'd be surprised if Beane and the A's gave Foulke a four-year deal because that isn't his style and I thought that would be the deal breaker there for the A's as they wouldn't be willing to give a closer more than three years.

 

All indications since the season ended was Foulke wanted to stay in Oakland and would take less money to stay and it would just come down to if someone offered more years than the A's would. A local writer floated a rumor about Beane being ineterested in LaTroy Hawkins if indeed Foulke signed with the Red Sox. We shall see I guess.

[Cartman 0]

Curt Schilling is in the Sons of Sam Horn chat room right now, I will post the transcript of the chat when it's finished and posted there.

 

Here's a link to the thread he is talking to people in.

Edited November 30, 2003 by cartman

[Cartman 0]

CurtSchilling38:: and I have already said, Christy C

Lanternjaw: okay folks -- listen!

Lanternjaw: ask the q's one at a time... and don't ask 2 in a row -- give everyone an opportunity to ask. i'll be quick on the boot

Lanternjaw: first q

NomahsHammSammich: What was the deciding factor in your agreeing to waive the "No Trade" clause and come to Boston?

CurtSchilling38: There was no one "Deciding Factor" for us, when we put the pieces of the puzzle together that they had

CurtSchilling38: presented to us, it all added up, we negotiated the "little things" congruent with the contract to keep the talks progressing,

CurtSchilling38: we didnt' want to end up at Friday 2:59 and not done due to something little being unfinished, ultimately though it came down to an agreement on the contract and the financial terms

CurtSchilling38: NExt

Quintanariffic: How would you characterize your relatuionship with BK Kim while in AZ?

CurtSchilling38: Hmm

CurtSchilling38: I think BK is as talented as any 24 year old pitcher I ahve ever seen

PedroKsBambino: So when Brenly comes to get you in game 7 to put RJ in, did he ask "do you have anything left" or was he sure it was time for a m

CurtSchilling38: I am hoping that the last few months he's learned some things, and that being on a WS champion, again, is something at the top of his priority list, with him in our rotation

CurtSchilling38: I don't see alot of team out there that can hang with us over a 162 game schedule

CurtSchilling38: Next

jakkedscora: Do you think the Sox should go after Foulke, Flash Gordon or stay put? My feeling is that we should get Flash, let Foulke resign and make the NYYs get someone they don't want as much as their set up guy. Your thoughts?

Lanternjaw: folks -- curt will type NEXT when he is ready for the next question -- don't jump in until then

CurtSchilling38: I can

CurtSchilling38: can't really say

CurtSchilling38: Iooking at Keiths numbers I can tell you I wouldn't mind being at 140 pitches in the 8th and knowing he was out there warming up

CurtSchilling38: Gordon is a competitor, and a stud, I am pretty sure that the Front office will address the bullpen issues to the best of their abililty

CurtSchilling38: contrary

CurtSchilling38: to your popular beliefs, you don't think about these things more than the GM's

NomahsHammSammich: Later Curt...Girlfriend calls..dammit..Youa er the Man!

(NomahsHammSammich left)

(semsox joined)

CurtSchilling38: and these scenarios you play out, have already been played out in their minds 100 times over, unfortunately its not rotisserie baseball and they cant just sign who they think is great and will help, there are a ton of factors that go into bringing people in and with the exception of one team I think the real good teams measure all thee things

CurtSchilling38: next

TimlinIn8th: Curt, you've been in a WS against the Yankees, but whats your take now entering into this rivalry? Is that something that interests you as a competitor and ballplayer?

#Joe: What were you're impressions of Shea Hillenbrand from the 1/2 season he was your teammate?

Lanternjaw: Curt, I've been asked by some reporters what I thought it was that gave you the itch to use the internet as your communication vehicle these past few days. I speculated that you did this to control the context of your statements... was that a safe assumption? Care to elaborate?

balllboy: Curt, First of all, thanks for your openess with the fans, we appreciate it more than you know. Now, my question: You have a reputation for solid fielding,but last year committed five errors. Was it a fluke, did a new official scorer have something against you, or did it have something to do with the injury?

Red Averages: Have you contacted any Red Sox players yet? I know you tried to call Trot Nixon Thanksgiving night, just curious if you ever got through.

Lanternjaw: hahaha

CurtSchilling38: hmm ok next now Lantern

TimlinIn8th: (wow hehe)

CurtSchilling38: missed all those

johnestmaximus: What do you know about Jason Varitek? how do you feel about having a catcher as meticulous in preparation as he is calling your games?

Lanternjaw: take mine, please

CurtSchilling38: ok repost it

CurtSchilling38: ok answering now

CurtSchilling38: I am not real sure how it came to be, other than the fact that I stopped by the MLB.,com

CurtSchilling38: site to check out the take on your guys end of things

DieHardSoxFan1: just got back from dinner. . .hey curt

CurtSchilling38: and then had an email from someone telling me about the SoSH board

CurtSchilling38: so I dropped by and read up, and it was pretty cool

CurtSchilling38: knowing that an entire "nation" of people was rooting for us to make that decision to come to Boston, and

CurtSchilling38: as i said the other day, I am human, its pretty cool to see people wanting you to be a part of "their" team so badly

CurtSchilling38: so I read around, and saw the chat, figured what the hell and started chatting

CurtSchilling38: after a bit, when I convinced some of them that it was me, it was pretty fun

Lanternjaw: what about the importance of context to an athlete? taking to power of the pen away from reporters?

CurtSchilling38: and it was actually more fun to read the naysayres

CurtSchilling38: that is important to me, that the fans do understand that most times we are not misquoted, rarely if ever atually, but its pretty damn easy to misinterpet us on a regular basis

CurtSchilling38: and I feel;

CurtSchilling38: that in this day and age the media, not all, but alot, have forgotten their responsibility to the fans

Lanternjaw: (claps loudly)

CurtSchilling38: they think its their job to scoop, instead of report, and somewhere in their the real story is lost and the personal agenda of that writer comes out

CurtSchilling38: next

#Joe: Curt, what were your impressions of Shea Hillenbrand from the 1/2 season he was your teammate?

Remagellan: Francona took a lot of criticism from the people at Baseball Prospectus for line-up construction and overworking pitchers..was he much of a data hound in his term with the Phillies...what do you see him doing differently if/when he takes over the Sox?

CurtSchilling38: Shea is an AWESOME guy, awesome, I love having him as a teammate, damn he's strong too

CurtSchilling38: AS for Francona

CurtSchilling38: Tito got a less than great situation his first go around

CurtSchilling38: he was not a data hound, but he was not blind either

CurtSchilling38: he was given a team that was being brought along to eventualy compete, and somewhere along the line the agenda changed to win as many games as you can now, and he got caught between them

CurtSchilling38: he's as sincere and honest a guy as I have ever been around, and IMO if he gets the job, he will be great, and let me clarify one more thing

CurtSchilling38: IF Tito gets this job, he will do so on his own merits, I spoke with the Red Sox at length on this and I never asked them for a commitment, and they never offered one, its their jobto asssemble a guy that fits the players and vice versa, but its a showing a great amount

CurtSchilling38: of disrespect to him to assume that me signing here is why he wouyld get this job

CurtSchilling38: Next

Red Averages: Have you contacted any Red Sox players yet? You said you tried to call Trot Nixon thanksgiving night but couldn't get through. I was wondering if you had gotten through to any of them yet.

CurtSchilling38: Not Yet no, am hoping to talk to Pedro soon though, and Derek, Jason and a few others

CurtSchilling38: next

TimlinIn8th: Curt - you played against the Yankees in the World Series, how do you think that will compare to playing them on this end of the big rivalry? Does that fire you up as a competitor knowing that Fenway will be shaking to its foundation when that time comes?

CurtSchilling38: Not sure I can tell you much other than the rivalry that exists between these two teams is a MAJOR drawing card for me, to be a part of that and possibly have an impact on helping the Red Sox beat the Yankees and win a world series was the one major challenge no other situation presented to me

CurtSchilling38: next

johnestmaximus: What do you know about Jason Varitek? How do you feel about having a catcher as meticulous as he is in preparation calling your games?

Lanternjaw: curt

CurtSchilling38: yes Lantern?

Lanternjaw: ...next q is drawn from the forum

CurtSchilling38: ok

Lanternjaw: go ahead with the Varitek q

CurtSchilling38: ok

Lanternjaw: Felix Mantilla asks how you think the adjustment will be coming back to the AL? will having to face a DH effect your daily prep?

CurtSchilling38: I have heard that Jason is a meticulous planner, and does a ton of preparation, which was a seriously important selling point, and I was assured that, like pedro, they are very interested in him remaining here, which was VERY important to me, so I am pretty pumped to get to work with him, the Red Sox are flying out a nutritionist, at my request, and their video people, at their offer, this next week

CurtSchilling38: the DH will be a significant change, I'd love to face someone that sucks as bad as I do at the plate 3-4 times every start, so In my mind I am going to find one guy in each lineup that to me presents the easiest and most holes to exploit, and treat that guy as my "pitcher" over here

CurtSchilling38: next

Lanternjaw: another from the forum, too

Lanternjaw: Foxy asks

Lanternjaw: how much was Theo and Co's approach to statistical analysis and prep a factor in selling you on the Sox

Lanternjaw: one from the chatroom next

CurtSchilling38: their preparation was awesome, I think to someone like me, who realizes how important it is it was even more so, i recognized the work and effort put forth prior to them arriving, and that left an indellible impression to say the least, that and the fact that they were very clear and sincere in their feelings about what I meant, or would mean to the organzation, and what their plans were during the length of the deal

CurtSchilling38: next

CurtSchilling38: last one here

jakkedscora: how much pressure do you feel on bringing a championship to boston?

CurtSchilling38: then I will head over to the forum and try to answer a few

Lanternjaw: anyone with a last chat Q?

CurtSchilling38: Pressure?Thats a great thing, Its what makes my clock tick I think

PedroKsBambino: Curt, how much of a factor do you think "clubhouse chemistry" is to a team's success?

balllboy: Curt, lots of fans make much about 'team chemistry' and it's effect on winning. In your experience, do you think chemistry contributes to winning teams, or do you think winning creates good chemistry?

CurtSchilling38: if we dont win a WS or 4 while I am here then this didnt work, period.

CurtSchilling38: The two Teams

CurtSchilling38: I have been to the WS on, both had incredible chemisty in the clubhouse, in 1993 we had 7 fights in spring training, 4 with the cardinals, we knew we were the best

CurtSchilling38: in 2001 we just NEVER, and I mean never, let anything bother us

CurtSchilling38: so that comes

CurtSchilling38: down to the upcoming ST in my mind, we need to understand from day one that we are the best team in the world, and conduct ourselves accordingly, on and off the field

CurtSchilling38: ok am heading out

balllboy: Thanks Curt!

DieHardSoxFan1: see ya curt

jakkedscora: thanks abunch curt

CurtSchilling38: thanks everyone!

(CurtSchilling38 left)

PedroKsBambino: Thank you very much!

(ReggieSmith joined)

Red Averages: Thank you very much

TimlinIn8th: curt, thanks as always for taking the time on a sat night to tlk

jakkedscora: well that was fun

johnestmaximus: Thanks Curt

TimlinIn8th: curt is the man

TeddyLepcio: thank you curt

jakkedscora: agreed, thats so cool

Brooklyn Sox Fan: He is awesome to come in here and chat.

Holmes Smarter Brother: So, how do you get spooge out of a keyboard again?

(JeffGrayFan left)

(thisyearisthe joined)

TimlinIn8th: squeegee

PedroKsBambino: wow....my computer froze right at the start...I was dying! Cameback to life and I was so psyched (other than it posting that question way too late while Curt was answering)

TimlinIn8th: I mean, in his FIRST FREAKIN DAY as a RS he's been on here like crazy

PedroKsBambino: that is a guy who gets it

thisyearisthe: he's gone/

Brooklyn Sox Fan: I couldn't think of 1 good question to ask. That sucks.

Quintanariffic: I'm speechless

thisyearisthe: ?

ReggieSmith: is someone going to post the contents of the chat?

balllboy: I'm sure iot won't continue during the season, but VERY cool. Class act.

jakkedscora: he knows its about us, thats special

TimlinIn8th: this is a guy who gets it

Quintanariffic: red averages alreay posted most of it

thisyearisthe: I guess that's how I got in.

TimlinIn8th: and thats so cool

Lanternjaw: he's now gonna answer a few on the forum for the rest of us

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Damn.. Cartman and me have the same Sig quote.

 

I'd have to side with Bear. Sharks don't have as much area to live in as Bears. Also, Bears have more ways to kill than Sharks. How else can a Shark kill you except biting you? He can't kill you with his tail!

 

Schilling is on the money.. Sharks are overrated. Bears rule.

[Cartman 0]

Damn.. Cartman and me have the same Sig quote.

 

I'd have to side with Bear. Sharks don't have as much area to live in as Bears. Also, Bears have more ways to kill than Sharks. How else can a Shark kill you except biting you? He can't kill you with his tail!

 

Schilling is on the money.. Sharks are overrated. Bears rule.

I laughed my ass off somethin fierce when he posted that.

 

I hafta agree with Bear myself since, ya know, I have actually been up close (kinda) to a bear once. Damn things were sniffin around my camp site up in the White Mountains. Scared the piss outta me and my dad as we were tryin to sleep. Also, Bears are more of a human threat since not many people are just chillin' out in the oceans waitin' for a Shark to come get them.