Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox finalized an $8 million, one-year contract Tuesday that keeps the star right-hander with the World Series champions. The deal provides for him to make an additional $5 million in bonuses and match his 2007 salary. It contains $3 million in performance bonuses based on innings pitched and $2 million based on weight clauses, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet made an announcement. His agreement was first reported by ESPN.com. The Red Sox announced the deal Tuesday afternoon, but did not disclose Schilling's salary.

Schilling had filed for free agency. In a posting on his Web site early Tuesday, before the deal was completed, he said he felt "comfortable" that he would finish his career in Boston with a one-year contract.

Schilling, who turns 41 on Nov. 14, also posted the letter that team president Larry Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein 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."

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," his wife, Shonda, said last weekend.

Schilling will get a $375,000 bonus for pitching 130 innings, and an additional $375,000 for every 10-inning increment up to 200. He also will have six random weigh-ins, one per month, and get $333,333 for maintaining his weight.

Written By RONALD BLUM