By Jim Callis
November 28, 2003

The Red Sox and Diamondbacks agreed on a trade that would send Curt Schilling to Boston on Monday, contingent on Schilling agreeing to waive his no-trade clause. After three days of negotiations, which included Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein having Thanksgiving dinner with the Schilling family, Schilling did just that on Friday. Arizona will receive Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon and two minor leaguers, lefthander Jorge de la Rosa and outfielder Michael Goss. The Diamondbacks are expected to turn around and package de la Rosa in a trade for Brewers first baseman Richie Sexson.

In return for accepting the trade, Schilling received a two-year contract extension with a third-year option. Scheduled to make $12 million ($6 million deferred) in 2004, he'll now earn $12.5 million in 2005 and $13 million in 2006. A $13 million option for 2007 will vest itself if he reaches certain performance levels.

Schilling, a 37-year-old righthander, returns to the organization that originally signed him as a second-round pick out of Yavapai (Ariz.) JC in the January 1986 draft. The Red Sox traded him and Brady Anderson two years later to acquire Mike Boddicker from the Orioles. Schilling made just 24 starts in 2003, his lowest total since 1995, because of appendicitis and a broken finger on his pitching hand. But he was as effective as ever, going 8-9 with a 2.95 ERA that ranked fifth in the National League. In 168 innings, he posted a 194-32 strikeout-walk ratio and limited batters to a .230 average and 17 homers. He still showed a nasty combination of mid-90s fastballs, splitters, sliders, curveballs and changeups, and the ability to spot them where he wanted. A five-time all-star and co-MVP of the 2001 World Series, Schilling owns a career 163-117, 3.33 record in 450 games. His career 4.22 strikeout-walk ratio is the second-highest in baseball history—trailing only new teammate Pedro Martinez (4.38).

Fossum, a 25-year-old lefty, was pursued by multiple teams in trades last offseason. Though he has a plus curveball and a low-90s fastball, he hasn't quite made the transition to effective big leaguer. In 19 games (14 starts) this year, he went 6-5, 5.47 with a 63-34 K-BB ratio and .270 opponent average. After the season, he had arthroscopic surgery to clean up his rotator cuff and is expected to be ready for spring training. He'll likely replace Schilling in Arizona's rotation. Fossum has a career record of 14-11, 4.42 in 75 games. He made $324,500 in 2003 and won't be eligible for arbitration until after next season.

Lyon, a 24-year-old righthander, changes teams in his third trade of 2003, all involving the Red Sox. On July 22, Boston sent him to Pittsburgh in a deal for Scott Sauerbeck. The Pirates soon claimed Lyon had fraying in his elbow and placed him on the disabled list on July 25. The Red Sox insisted that Lyon was healthy and had pitched for them two days before the deal, but agreed to take him back as part of a July 31 trade for Jeff Suppan that cost them top infield prospect Freddy Sanchez. No serious injury was detected, and after coming off the disabled list and rebuilding his arm strength, Lyon was back pitching for the Red Sox in September. Claimed off waivers from Toronto in October 2002, Lyon emerged as Boston's closer in May and June. He went 4-6, 4.12 with nine saves in 49 games. In 59 innings, he had a 50-19 strikeout-walk ratio but allowed opponents to bat .296. He relies on a low-90s sinker, a slider and good command. In 75 career games, Lyon has gone 10-14, 4.99 with nine saves. He'll add to a strong setup corps in Arizona and could contend for the closer job if the Diamondbacks trade Matt Mantei. Lyon had a $309,500 salary in 2003 and may not be arbitration-eligible until after 2005.

Like Schilling, the 22-year-old de la Rosa returns to his original organization. He signed out of Mexico in 1998 with the Diamondbacks, who sold his contract to their Mexican League affiliate, the Monterrey Sultans in 2000. When Arizona's working agreement with Monterrey expired after that season, the Sultans kept de la Rosa's rights and sold him to Boston in February 2001. The Red Sox signed him for $600,000, and then-GM Dan Duquette dubbed him "the Mexican John Rocker" because he was a hard-throwing lefty reliever. De la Rosa can still light up a radar gun from 90-95 mph, but he has shown enough stuff to possibly become a big league starter. He also has curveball that's a plus pitch at times, and his changeup has made significant improvement. He appeared in the Futures Game in 2003, when he went 7-5, 2.98 in 27 games (25 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. In 124 innings, he had a 119-48 K-BB ratio and held hitters to a .245 average and six homers. De la Rosa was Boston's best pitching prospect.

Goss, 23, signed as an 11th-round pick out of Jackson State in 2002. He could have gone as high as the fifth round had teams not been wary about his signability, which was tarnished by his NFL potential as a kick returner. The fastest player in the Red Sox system, he's also a very raw player who hasn't shown much outside of speed. Goss batted .245/.327/.295 with one homer, 28 RBIs and 29 steals in 36 attempts in 100 games at low Class A Augusta this year. He must develop more plate discipline and better instincts on the bases. He covers a lot of ground in center field but has just a playable arm.