Curt Schilling finalizes contract with Red Sox

Pitcher Curt Schilling reached terms Tuesday with the Boston Red Sox on a one-year, $8-million US contract.

The pact contains an additional $5 million US in performance incentives, effectively matching Schilling's salary last season.

"We got exactly what we wanted, and then some," he said. "This is where we want our career to come to a close.

"This city, this team. This is where we want to retire, raise our kids, and walk away. We got it, all of it, and more."

"We needed some protection in case he wasn't able to stay healthy," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said of the bonuses.

"If he can stay healthy, he is very affordable [and] protects our rotation. If he does recondition his body and stays healthy all year and has a great season, he will be rewarded for it."

Schilling, who turns 41 next Wednesday, posted a 9-8 record with a 3.87 earned-run average in 24 starts last season, his 20th in the major leagues.

More importantly, he went 3-0 in four playoff starts as Boston won its second World Series in four years and seventh overall.

"Did I leave money on the table? Yes," Schilling said. "Could I have gotten another year? I think so.

"Looking at the teams that called, my best guess would be around $14-15 million for a one-year deal with the potential to get $25-$30 million for a two-year deal."

Schilling pitched the Red Sox past the Colorado Rockies 2-1 in Game 2 of the World Series, improving to 4-1 lifetime in seven World Series starts and 11-2 in post-season play.

Schilling is 213-142 with a 3.46 ERA, 83 complete games, 22 saves and 20 shutouts in 560 MLB appearances (427 starts) for the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Red Sox.

A six-time all-star, he was named the most valuable player of the 1993 National League Championship Series with Philadelphia, and shared MVP honours with Randy Johnson in the 2001 World Series, won by Arizona in seven games over the New York Yankees.

Schilling was equally instrumental in Boston's World Series triumph of 2004, when it swept the St. Louis Cardinals.