PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. - The Boston brass is headed for Arizona to try to persuade Curt Schilling to rejoin the Red Sox, the organization that drafted him 17 years ago.

The Red Sox and Diamondbacks have a tentative deal to send the ace right-hander to Boston, but Schilling has a no-trade clause and can veto it.

Schilling, speaking outside his home in this posh suburb Monday night while his children and dogs played in the yard behind him, confirmed the proposed trade.

He said he and his wife Shonda will hear what the Red Sox have to say ''and we will make a decision that we're happy with.''

Schilling said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and president Larry Lucchino were heading to Phoenix to meet with him. The Red Sox asked the commissioner's office for permission to discuss a contract extension with Schilling, the 37-year-old right-hander said, a window that expires at 5 p.m. Friday.

''I want a chance to win the World Series for the rest of my career. Who doesn't?'' Schilling said. ''But I'm in a position to kind of control that. I've heard nothing but great things about Mr. Epstein and the things they're trying to do there.''

Hiring Terry Francona as manager in Boston would help the Red Sox chances of landing Schilling.

''I have made it known that he would be a reason I'd be interested in going to Boston,'' Schilling said. ''I only said that because it was my understanding that he was a slam-dunk for the job anyway. I love the guy. He's a great manager.''

While Schilling was talking, and television trucks lined the narrow road, a white pickup truck stopped and Randy Johnson stuck his head out, hollering, ''You're blocking the street!''

It was a timely piece of humor. Johnson and Schilling formed the most dominant lefty-righty combination since Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale during the 2000-02 seasons.

Now, Schilling could be joining a staff that includes another of the game's great pitchers, Pedro Martinez. ''From one Hall of Famer to a potential Hall of Famer,'' Schilling said.

Neither Epstein nor Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. commented on the reported deal.

The situation is similar to one a year ago, when Arizona tried to package Matt Williams in a deal to Colorado for Larry Walker.

Both players had a no-trade clause, and both ended up vetoing the deal. Williams wound up being waived by the team before the season ended, then retired.

Schilling said he told Garagiola he wanted to make sure there would be no hard feelings like the ones he felt were present when Williams blocked his trade.

''He said, 'Listen, we've got a deal on the table that we feel good about, and if it happens, great,''' Schilling said. '''But if you're pitching with Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson (next season), that's a great deal too.' That made me feel good. They've been very forthright with me.''

Schilling repeated that his first choice would be a return to Philadelphia, and he'd be willing to listen to the New York Yankees as well. But the Red Sox deal is the only one the Diamondbacks have proposed to him.

''All three of these clubs have some kind of challenge with them,'' Schilling said. ''With Philadelphia, winning a championship - one of two in the last century. With the Red Sox, it would be winning the first one in the last century - and beating the Yankees. With the Yankees, it would be joining a long line in the tremendous heritage and prestige of being a Yankee.''

A baseball perfectionist who has pitched his entire career in the National League, Schilling is well aware that Fenway Park with its Green Monster is no friend to right-handed pitchers.

''The Boston situation presents a challenge that none of the other ones do,'' he said.

Schilling is scheduled to make $12 million next season with the chance to earn almost $2 million more in performance bonuses, but he wants an extension before agreeing to a trade.

''I won't leave here without an extension,'' Schilling said. ''I'm reading that I'm demanding three years. I've never demanded anything from anybody, but I will get some kind of contract extension before I leave Arizona.''

Boston would give up left-hander Casey Fossum, several baseball officials said on the condition of anonymity. Reliever Brandon Lyon, minor league pitcher Jorge De La Rosa and outfielder Michael Goss also would be moving to Arizona, according to several reports.

Diamondbacks managing general partner Jerry Colangelo has acknowledged that the team has interest in Milwaukee first baseman Richie Sexson, and a Schilling deal could pave the way for that.

Colangelo wants the Arizona payroll trimmed from about $94 million last season to about $80 million. The franchise's financial situations made it clear that there was no way the team could re-sign Schilling when his contract expires after next season. Schilling says he won't consider a trade after the season begins, so Arizona must deal him in the offseason or watch him walk away after next year with nothing in return.

''I'd say the chances are highly unlikely that I will be here (in Arizona). But who knows?'' Schilling said.