That $1.2 million difference does exceed the then-record $1.1 million gap between the figures filed last year by Terry Mulholland ($3.1 million) and the club ($2 million). Mulholland settled for $2.65 million.
Schilling and his representatives initially sought a three-year deal, which would have tied the pitcher to the club for the remainder of his arbitration- eligible years.
There were indications that's still what they would prefer, but the possibility now looks like a longshot.
"We spoke with Dennis Gilbert (Schilling's agent) once in December and that possibility was mentioned," Ed Wade, the Phils' assistant GM, said of a three-year contract, "but we told them that we would prefer he sign a one- year deal. Nothing against Curt, that's just the way we'd prefer to go."
Negotiations could resume as early as today, with both sides hoping to agree before a hearing with an arbitrator becomes necessary.
Should it reach that stage, though, Schilling would no doubt note that he is entering the second year of arbitration with better numbers and a better postseason history than Mulholland and thus deserves more than $2.6 million.
And the Phils could be expected to point out that the $2.1 million Milwaukee's Jaime Navarro made in 1993 was the highest for a pitcher with Schilling's level of big-league service.
In all five cases, a hearing with an arbitrator would be set between Feb. 1 and Feb. 21. If the past is any indication, the Phils are reluctant to go that route and can be expected to reach agreements before then.
"I really hope it gets done before that," Schilling said last night. "I think I've put up some pretty good numbers as a starter here. I'm just looking for what's fair."
Also yesterday, the other arbitration-eligible Phils filed salary figures:
