Curt Schilling Wants To Break Cubs' Curse

Says he'd like to pitch for Cubs or Rays in 2009

By TOM FORNELLI

Updated 3:00 PM CST, Sat, Feb 28, 2009

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In his career, Curt Schilling has been one of the best big game pitchers in Major League Baseball. In 2001 he helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win their first World Series, and in 2004 he was a major contributor to a Boston Red Sox team that won its first World Series in 86 years and break the "Curse of the Bambino."

Well, Schilling is 42 years old now and missed last season thanks to shoulder surgery, but he still thinks he can help out a baseball team. His only stipulations are that the team he plays for has a chance to win a championship, and that the team hasn't won a title before or in a very long time.

Any baseball teams come to mind? Perhaps one on the north side of the city that hasn't won in 100 years? Yes, Schilling would love to pitch for the Cubs this year. Of course, the question is, would he be worth it?

Schilling said that money won't really be an issue, which means that the Cubs could probably sign him pretty cheap, maybe with a contract a lot like the one the White Sox gave Bartolo Colon: one-year, $1 million, not guaranteed.

The truth is, if Schilling wants to play for the Cubs, the team would be rather stupid not to consider it. Given the fact the Cubs haven't won a postseason game over the last two years, they could probably use somebody with Schilling's experience. Plus, he could take on the role of fifth starter which would allow Jeff Samardzija to stay in the bullpen for another year, which would make it stronger overall.

If Schilling gets hurt, then the team just moves on. It's a low-risk, high-reward signing that could pay off with huge dividends, and it's one the Cubs should really consider.

Along with writing for NBCCHICAGO.com, Tom Fornelli can also be found contributing at FanHouse, SPORTSbyBROOKS, and his own Chicago sports blog Foul Balls.