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 While the sides have not yet reached an agreement, talks have gained momentum and it is possible an agreement could be reached within a few days, a person familiar with the talks said Monday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because a deal had not yet been struck.
The progress in the negotiations was first reported by the Boston Herald on its Web site.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein declined comment.
Schilling, in a posting on his Web site dated Friday, praised his Red Sox bosses.
"This ownership group has put together something special here, and their commitment to players and players families is a pretty big thing," he said.
Schilling, who turns 41 on Nov. 14, also posted the letter that Epstein and team president Larry Lucchino sent him before opening negotiations with him in November 2003.
"There is no other place in baseball where you can have as great of an impact on a franchise, as great an impact on a region, as great an impact on baseball history, as you can in Boston. It is hard to describe what the Red Sox mean to New England," the letter said. "We are so close to the goal that has eluded us for 86 years."
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In 2004, Schilling went 21-6 and helped lead the Red Sox to their first World Series title since 1918. His velocity diminished, Schilling was 9-8 during the regular season this year, then went 3-0 in four starts during the playoffs to improve his postseason record to 11-2.
After the Red Sox declined to give him an extension, Schilling said in February that he would become a free agent after the season. He said then he would return for Boston in 2008 for $13 million, the same salary he earned in 2007.
While he wanted to stay, he also was ready in case he had to change teams.
"We've prepared the kids that we may be moving again," wife Shonda said last weekend.
[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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