Schilling puts Cleveland on list of possible new homes

Curt Schilling has put the Indians on the list of teams he'd like to play for if he doesn't re-sign with Boston.

Schilling put the list on his blog 38pitches.com, and, in fact, listed the Tribe first - though it's not clear if the teams were listed in order of priority.

Schilling says his priority is to sign with Boston, but he has also begun writing letters to Sox teammates, since, he says, he may not be playing with them again.

"I actually broke out a pen and paper the last couple days," Schilling said Tuesday in his weekly radio appearance while driving to Fenway Park for the Red Sox victory parade. "There's a very realistic chance I won't ever play with them again."-- quoted by Rotoworld

Now comes the big question. Why would Cleveland want him?

He has the reputation - with results to back it - of being the big-game pitcher that neither CC nor Fausto has proven to be to this point. But he'd be the third man in Cleveland's rotation and it is money much better spent on trying to resign CC. If it were 10 years ago, it might be a different story.

Here are two pitchers I think the Tribe should seriously look into:

• David Riske - Declined his mutual option with the Royals. He's only 31 and had 2.45 ERA in 70 innings in 2007.


• LaTroy Hawkins - Rockies declined his $3.75 million option. Hawkins was dismal in April -probably because he was injured. After coming back in late May he had a 2.63 ERA over 48 innings in Colorado, which is no pitcher's paradise.

The pen was great in 2007, but you can NEVER have enough good arms out there, especially in the year after your best relievers were overtaxed in an extended playoff run.

And what about that "big" bat for left field. The Brewers set Geoff Jenkins free by declining his $9 million option. The name is tempting, but he hit only 255 with 20 home runs in 2007. He's a lefty and his numbers are solid against right handers. But the Tribe would have to trade David Delucci for Jenkins to fit in, and I'm not sure he's a big-enough upgrade to bother. He's also a very streaky hitter and his troughs can be scary.

CENTRAL ISSUES

With the Tigers turning over the closer role to Joel Zumaya next year, Todd Jones has turned his sites on Atlanta as a possible new home. The Detroit News reports the Tigers hope to re-sign Jones to set-up Zumaya and act as an insurance policy if Zumaya doesn't work out in his new role. But, according to the paper, Jones hopes to pitch closer to his home in Alabama.


The News also reports the Tigers also hope to re-sign starter Kenny Rogers.

Torii Hunter has told the Twins he would not negotiate with them until all teams can joint the bidding. MLB.com reports the Houston Astros have already told Hunter they're interested when the time comes to talk money.

Darin Erstad got his walking papers yesterday when the White Sox decided not to pick up his option for next year.

Tribe killer Mike Sweeney is also a free agent. The Kansas City Star reports the oft-injured slugger was placed on hold by the Royals until after the Winter Meetings next month, when both sides will have a clear idea what the market is for Sweeney.