Schilling's Baker's Dozen

Curt Schilling wants to play one more year and he has listed 12 teams, in addition to the Red Sox, who he would play for. So in other words, Curt Schilling things the following 13 teams have a chance of winning the World Series next year. Schilling picked every division winner from this year and both 2006 World Series participants. He left off the New York Yankees (somewhat obviously), the Colorado Rockies (does anyone want to pitch in Denver?), the Seattle Mariners (not sure about this one) and the Toronto Blue Jays (pitching against the Sox and Yanks) all of whom had winning records.

Anyways, here are the teams and some comments from me... oh and keep in mind that, although I really enjoy baseball, it's definitely not my strong suit and some of the people I assume will be there next year may not be with those teams. We'll go from worst to best:


13. St. Louis Cardinals (78-84) - The only team with a losing record on the list. Presumably, their World Series win last year and their under-performance this year is what has them on Schilling's list. I wasn't too impressed by the Cards either year (except for their 2006 playoff run), but they would be a good fit since the Cards need some pitching.

12. LA Dodgers (82-80) - A better pitching staff than the Cards, but it seems to me they've got enough highly paid older guys on their team. I guess he could take over David Well's spot, but it still feels like Schilling named the Dodgers more so because they're the Dodgers than because they have a chance. Maybe Joe Torre can turn them around but I have my doubts.

11. Milwaukee Brewers (83-79) - This is where it gets interesting because the Brewers could use someone like Schilling. They have some good young arms and they've got the bats in Milwaukee but there is just something wrong when Jeff Suppan leads your team in wins. Also, who wants to move to Milwaukee?

10. Atlanta Braves (84-78) - Old pitchers leave Atlanta, they don't go to Atlanta. Interesting, but much like Milwaukee, I just don't see them having a chance next year.

9. Chicago Cubs (85-77) - The first in a group of teams that would be good for Schilling mostly because he can apparently unhex (or is it de-hex) your team. Also the Cubs always seem to have a shot at the World Series. A half-hearted approval here.

8. NY Mets (88-74) - Very similar to the Cubs situtation. The Mets are hexed (although nowhere near as long as the Cubs) and he can join up with fellow ex-Red Sox Pedro Martinez. On the other hand the Mets already have a bunch of older pitchers (Martinez, Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, Aaron Sele and Billy Wagner). Maybe he can replace one of them if they leave, but the Mets need more help that Schilling can offer.

7. Detroit Tigers (88-74) - On looking over the Tiger's roster, this team seems like a good fit. They should have a spot in the rotation and their bats should provide adequate run support... but there's something I just don't like about it.

6. San Diego Padres (89-73) - Another team that, like the Tigers, seems like a good fit. I'm "feeling" the Padres more than the Tigers, so this will be the first full "approvals" by me.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (89-73) - The first of two teams (aside from the Red Sox) Schilling has pitched for. Looking over their roster the Phillies seem like a good fit, too bad they're also cursed. I give this a half-hearted approval.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks (90-72) - The other team that Schilling has pitched for. He could rejoin Randy Johnson and try to relive the 2001 season, but doesn't he want some passion with the fans where he pitches. The Diamondbacks struggled to sell playoff tickets! I just think it's a bad idea.

3. LA Angels (94-68) - The Angels seem like a good fit for Schilling because they have only one pitcher over the age of 33. Their bats were a little lacking this year, but they're young so there is definitely room for improvement. I really don't see anything wrong with it... so another approved from me.

2. Cleveland Indians (96-66) - Cursed... just cursed. But then again it wouldn't be the first time he's been part of a curse reversal... Another approval from me.

1. Boston Red Sox (96-66) - Probably the best fit for him. Schilling thinks he's got another year in him and they should bring him back and hope he retires next year with yet another World Series ring.