Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Curt Schilling is not the retiring type…at least not yet.

The Red Sox righty told WEEI this morning he’s negotiating an extension for 2008 with Boston. Curt on the Car Phone had originally indicated 2007, his final contract year, would also be his final year, period. Schilling said his first choice is to stay in Beantown, though he would search for a new home if a deal isn’t worked out by the end of spring training.

Schilling also says the Yankees would not be an option. Yeah, right! Don’t get me wrong…I believe an agreement will be reached to keep him in Boston. However, if and when he gets to free agency, you can bet the 40-year old would go to the highest bidder with a chance to compete for a World Series, a category the Evil Empire always falls into.

Remember, Schilling’s first choice was to go to the Yankees from Arizona, but the Diamondbacks wouldn’t deal with George Steinbrenner because he stole David Wells from them after they’d reached agreement with the lefty. In fact, there was a funny scene during the Sox on-field World Series celebration. Curt’s wife Shonda was being interviewed live with her husband by one of the local TV stations and let it slip that they originally wanted to go to New York, prompting her hubby to shush her and laugh it off.

Bottom line; Curt Schilling wants to pitch beyond 2007. I say it would be great to let him finish out his career here, and an agreement will most likely be worked out soon. But if he does get to free agency, all bets are off!

That’s my take…what’s yours? Are you glad Schilling wants to pitch another year or should he ride off into the sunset before father time catches up to him?