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I was ok with the signing. I am ok with him not being there. Lester and Buchholz can play, long season, good to get them some innings.

Santana would have fit in nicely now...

Guess we know what to look for when we trade Coco now. Agree with Blmeanie, Johan would have been pretty damn nice to have right about now. Can never have too much pitching.

Assuming the following is true http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/yankees/archives/2008/02/doctor_schillin.html I don't understand what the Red Sox are thinking.

Yes, $8 million is a lot of money, but overriding the decision of an expert in this field and forcing a player to avoid surgery seems to send a message that he Red Sox value money more than the player. I would imagine that is going to hurt them down the line with some free agents.

Peter - the only disagreement I have with your assessment is that Schilling was "obviously" in his last year, self-proclaimed and possibly signed the deal with knowledge of it not being right.

If he had two plus years left on a deal, I think they take a different approach. Even if it was the last year of an existing deal I think they take the high road.

Somehow because he just signed it, I think that is causing the behavior.

Blmeanie, I agree. Peter, you've basically taken sides on this. The Red Sox (nor other teams) don't hire ear nose and throat doctors to be their team doctors. They typically hire orthopedists, really, really good ones.

So while Dr. Morgan is a specialist in orthopedics, so is their team doctor, Dr. Thomas Gill. In fact, he is (or was) the Patriots Dr, the Revolution's doctor and is an innovator in shoulder and knee treatments that avoid surgery. He teaches orthopedics at Harvard and is on staff at MGH. So he is ok...at least.

While you might think surgery is the better option here, the Red Sox team doctor disagrees and so did a third part (independent) doctor. So of 3 doctors that have looked at his shoulder, only Schilling's doctor suggests surgery is necessary.

Schilling has said this is his last year and since they are paying the tab, I think they are entitled to figure this one out themselves. If you believe Dr. Morgan, he'll be back by July. If you believe Dr. Gill, he'll be back by July. So either way the he might be back by July, the Red Sox just prefer the non-invasive option. How can you knock them for that and all the other stuff above?

By the way, that isn't a knock on ENT's, they just aren't ideal team doctors.

Bl/Andy

Seriously, am I not the last guy on Earth who would defend Curt Schilling about anything? (I think my credentials are strong in this area) If Schilling was hurt before he signed the deal, why didn't the Red Sox medical staff find the damage during his physical?

And Andy, you are downplaying Dr. Morgan's assessment. Here is his quote:

"If (the Sox plan) was successful, I think it would be the greatest thing known to man. But unfortunately that's not the case. That's like wishing for the best-case scenario. Wishing isn't going to make it happen."

That's pretty strong stuff from a Dr and have you looked at Morgan's CV? (http://www.morgankalman.com/meetus/index.html) I understand about six words in that, but I think the guy is pretty qualified.

I don't dispute the fact that Boston is paying the tab, my question is whether or not it is worth it to take a stand in this instance. I just think the long-term damage could be bigger than the possibility of Schilling pitching in August.

Peter, yes I have looked at his CV (thanks for sounding like someone we both know). I did look at this and Dr. Gill's.

I guess I find it interesting you are so willing to dismiss the opinion of the Red Sox AND the Mets team doctor over Dr. Morgan.

Also, Schilling himself weighed in on his site. Here is the major quote: "At no time did I ever consider taking a course of action against the clubs wishes. In the end, regardless of who agreed with whom, I have chosen the clubs course of action and will vigorously pursue any and every option I can to be able to help this team to another World Series title in 2008."

But you should visit his site as he says Dr. Morgan did NOT diagnose a tear of the rotator cuff.

Also, Boston.com has much, much more in high detail: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/02/schillings_cort.html

Andy

To be honest I don't care at all about this, but your position surprises me and I got the chance to use "CV" on a baseball website which is always fun.

And to answer the question posed?

Yep, it looks like Bloggo the Magnificent is finally done. Be fun to watch him try to yakyak with Remy on NESN - LOL.

Peter, that is your comeback? "I don't care about this, but your position surprises me..."

I will not settle until you tell me I am right and also the smartest person you know. Say it!

Seriously though, why are you surprised by my position?