Personally I don't think Curt Schilling is a good idea. He seems to be good for the media since he never stops talking and he and his wife do a lot of charity work. The problem is that he doesn't really fit in well with teammates and even though he helped the Dbacks win the series, he never was thought of very well by fans or teammates.
Consider that Randy Johnson was brought back to Az and is thought of much better than Curt. Randy who never will win Mr. Personality or Mr. Interview seems to be a much better teammate, get along with the guys player than Curt.
Remembering all of RJ's blowups in NY, that doesn't say much about Curt. If the Orioles get a veteran quality starter, they need someone less abrasive and willing to help out the other starters and a bit lower key than Curt.

Bringing Schilling here next year doesn't sound like a good idea. He's certainly a fierce competitor, who has been a brilliant pitcher. But he's faded--a power pitcher who can't hit 90--and there are recurring health questions. I'm afraid he'd be next year's Benson or Wright in that respect. Aren't there questions, too, about his popularity among team mates? I only know what I read in that regard, but that's what I read. So, as I see it, you spend a lot of money on a past-prime pitcher likely to get hurt and to alienate teammates. Not exactly appealing.

Someone needs to say this if it hasn't been said already: Schilling is referred to as outspoken when in fact he talks and talks to the point of being quite annoying. (At times he seems to be a presence on the Dan Patrick show -- which I admittedly tune into very rarely -- more than Rob Dibble used to be.)

Rich, I'm not familiar with your information about how well he fit in with teammates. I do, though, like your nickname for him (Mr. Interview).

In a nutshell: Schilling's got the heart and the drive to succeed; I just don't think he has the stuff any longer. Rest assured, this postseason will paint a clearer picture for all of us.

Why not take a chance on Schilling? Assuming he'd come here, he could fill a spot in the rotation and give one of our younger pitchers--Liz, Olson--more time to develop. #38 might also be a wonderful influence on Guthrie, who appears to be a special player in the making. Go for it, I say.

sSchlling would be fine to sign. Let's face it, he knows how to win, he has a good work ethic and he's a definite improvement over Jared Wright, Trachsel, Benson and the little leaguers we brought in during the middle of the year. I still say every starting pitcher we have in the minors start on 3 days rest and let them stretch out to pitch 7-9 innings a game rather than 5 2/3's. There are too few good pitchers in baseball to begin with. Let the best ones you have pitch the most. Why should pitching be different today than it was 20-30 years ago. Don't say the money. Why would you pay more to get less? The Orioles need to look at taking a couple of rows out inleft field. You can't win with a short left field power alley and a short porch in right. You need to give the pitchers a better chance. This isn't pony league.

Wasn't that Gary Carter - playing for the Indians -who put down that walk-off bunt?

Schilling is a great idea, but why would he want to come here when he would definitely get some offers from the contending clubs.

Maybe, Tigers would be interested in trading for somebody like Tejada since Carlos Guillen is going to be moved to first base next year. Their farm system is replete with promising players. And how about Furcal for Tejada. Dodgers have been looking for power in their line-up.

Hell, even the re-acquisition of Trachsel could probably secure 12 wins, about 25+ 6 IP starts, and lotsa mentoring, albeit in how to slow down the show and overprepare beyond your capabilities at times. But from what you've previously reported, it seems as if Guthrie was more likely to listen than Bedard. Aside from a touch more credibility from having been an ace during his prime, I don't think Schilling naturally carries any more credibility than, say, a Dave Duncan type pitching coach.

So are we gonna emulate the LA Angels of Lake Elsinore Nevermore and rely on pitching, defense, and try to make every runner on first go to third on a single? I'd still feel better if we at least kept a power bat or two on the bench, like Sal Fasano, who can pop 10-15 HRs a year when he's matched with pitchers who don't know him and serve up high fastballs inside. Just don't expect Miggy, Melvin, Huff, BRob, Ramon to rediscover their power strokes anytime soon, and Markakis will rise to Will Clark power numbers at best, meaning we've gotta be more consistent getting ducks on the pond in the 1-2 holes.

i don't think the O's need to spend a lot of money on a mentor for Bedard. Bedard is the one guy who seemed to turn the corner this season.

maybe though...the O's should consider hiring a life coach or a shrink for EVERYONE else! Bedard i'm not worried about.

Schilling... Have you sent your common sense on ahead to beat the rush to get out of town after tomorrow's game... Come on Roch.... you can come up with something better than that... With ideas like that it would seem that you want to turn this club into more of a circus than it already is. The Oriole AARP contract has been terminated.... period !!

Definitely not feeling the Schilling in Charm City. The guy basically has nothing in his tank and I think he would be more of nuissance than a asset. He doesn't strike out batters like he used. He is an NL pitcher now... Bedard, Guthrie, Loewen, Cabrera plus a either rolling the dice and seeing if Leo can untap Jason Jennings' potential or if Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon can bounce back from injuries... if not let Olson, Liz, Spoone or Penn take their lumps and see if they can make the adjustments...

Roch:

Saw you out last night - you are the pimp.

That is all.

Roch, great article on the umpiring this season, thats something thats been bugging me for months.

I don't remember it as Andre Thornton, but Joe Carter who bunted with the bases loaded to beat Mark Williamson. Wasn't it '89?

I don't know, Roch. Isn't he getting a little long in the tooth? 41 maybe?

I can only think of a couple of power type pitchers who were successful into their 40's, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. Surely there's a few more.

Oh, yea, I forgot Satchel Page! He pitched into his 60's.

OK, you talked me into it. Bring Schilling back. And while were at it, let's make it old home week and see if Moose is interested. Isn't this the last year of his NY deal? He's been very sharp since they sat him for a few weeks. He's late 30's, correct?

Let's see, Bedard, Schilling, Moose, Guthrie and a psycho analyzed, maturing, coached up man about town, D. Cabrera.

I'm not kidding here. A couple of very intelligent, battle tested veterans in a rotation with 3 of the best young arms in baseball. Anybody else think that might work?

Maybe not. Never mind, Roch, stupid idea. Like everything else the Baltimore Orioles do, it'll probably just blow up in their face somehow.

I wonder if Liz can close. Can he mix his great stuff in with high stakes, game saving situations? Can he channel Clint Eastwood's High Plains Drifter? It's worked for Papelbon.

Schilling will cost picks. No thanks! At this point picks are more important than avoiding last place next year. We need guys who can play to push out guys who can't. There is no shortage of guys on the 40 man roster who would be out of baseball if not for the Orioles. All this talk of being a player in Free Agency makes me think the Orioles still have not learned.

To SUDHIR...forget a trade of Tejada to the Tigers...Guillen has already stated that he won't move from SS unless he's replaced with a Gold Glover...

Schilling wants nothing to do w/ this poisoned organization. More concerning is hearing that McPhail specifically mentioned Torii Hunter & Aaron Rowand as possible targets. It appears the commitment to mediocrity will continue. The only way for a team to build a pennant winning team with our budget is to rebuld via a youth movement. Other than that this org will never build a winner.

The bunt I remember was in the movie Major League...Tom Berenger bunted w/ the bases loaded to end that game. I think he played for the Indians too, right? And he sure looked like Gary Carter w/ that brillo 'fro.

everyones favorite umpire...'Ramirez writhed in pain after John Maine's pitch seemed to hit him on the left hand in the fourth inning, but plate umpire C.B. Bucknor ruled it a foul ball off the knob of the bat. Ramirez, the NL Rookie of the Year last season, knelt on the ground as he was checked by a trainer.'

Getting Schilling now will be like when the Yankees acquired Johnson two years ago. He is an old man who will be even older next year. Benson will have a better year than Schilling. You heard it here first.

First of all NO TO SCHILLING!!

We have a habit of looking at older players with big names more than actual talent. And no I'm not saying schilling has no talent but just look at past experiences. I'll just go with the first one that comes to mind....

Sosa! The O's were so excited to get him because ohhh he's hit so many homeruns the year before so we need to get him asap. Yea a lot of good that did. He blew and we wasted money.

A word of advice to the FO, don't go for Schilling or the rumored Barry Steriod Bonds. Waste of money. Use that money and get us some fresh young talent. Oh and also ask Angelos if you can borrow some of his asbestos/MASN money to buy some quality pitching, and to pay some players what they actually deserve. Both B-Rob and Markakis deserve a hell of a lot more than what they are making. (Yes 4.2 million for B-Rob is plenty, but he deserves to be the highest paid on the team and Markakis should be right behind him)

Com'on, you know that there's no way that Curt Schilling would ever come back to play in Bmore. Especially at this point in career, he's going to play for a contender, and nothing less. Unless the Orioles make him a financial offer that he can't refuse, and that ain't going to happen in Bmore.

No to Schilling! Please no. We don't need another old guy. And we don't need Musina either. If you want to bring in any one with experience, let him be younger than 35.

A thought re Schilling and his teammates: Clay Buchholtz raved about Schilling in his no-hitter press conference. He said Schilling had been helpful as a mentor, and added, I think these were the exact words, "He's been so nice to me." So maybe the big guy's not that hard to get along with after all.

I agree with Anthony. I think Benson will have a better season than Schilling would. I think bringing Kris back would be great.

I say yes to Schilling!!!
There was a young, out of control, loud mouth, flame-throwing pitcher that came up with the Birds in the late 80's, by the name of Curt Schilling! As the reports have it, it took a sit down with Roger Clemens to get Schilling to learn that it takes more than a high 90's fastball & a truck load of money to put your name in the record books! You have to respect the game (same thing Trembley's preaching!)! You have to be a professional (also a Trembley trait!)! And you have to know that your team is dependant on your every pitch!

All of these values need to be passed down to 15 day D.L. for a hang-nail Bedard, I can throw it 9 million miles an hour but don't know where it's going Cabrera, & look at my strut, I deserve a starting job in the big leagues Penn!
I say give Schilling a chance!!!