Schilling and Lowell to Return

It didn't appear likely a few days before the signing, but Curt Schilling will be returning to the Red Sox in 2008 for one more season as the Red Sox signed him to a 1-year deal with incentives. I felt this was a great move by the Red Sox as it puts them in good position to repeat in 2008. It was a good deal for the money and even though Schilling is not the ace he used to be, he will give the Red Sox some strength in the middle of the rotation for 2008. It will be interesting to see who will earn the #4 and #5 spots. The competition will likely between Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester, and Clay Buchholz.

It also didn't appear very likely that Lowell would be back with the Red Sox once the offers from other teams started rolling in. However, Lowell decided to remain where he was comfortable: playing 3B for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox got what could be considered a bargain with the signing (Lowell accepted 3 years/$37.5 million). The Lowell signing ensures that the Red Sox will have all of the major pieces back for 2008 (Coco Crisp might still be traded, but it appears that the Red Sox are better off with Jacoby Ellsbury in CF).