Alex Speier
@alexspeier.bsky.social
Boston Globe reporter. Registered in the Ecktionary as “Stat Masterson.” Author of “Homegrown” (https://bookshop.org/p/books/homegrown-how-the-red-sox-built-a-champion-from-the-ground-up-alex-speier/8023395)
Also in the Sunday Notes (for which I’m pinch-hitting for @peteabeglobe.bsky.social this week): Hope in Chicago?; rethinking the Contreras home-field advantage; Red Sox IF targets, and more: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/27/s...
Just call him Trader Craig, as Breslow has become an eager dealmaker as head of Red Sox baseball ops - The Boston Globe
Since he was hired by the Red Sox in October 2023, Breslow has completed 44 trades involving players on the 40-man roster.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Also in the Sunday Notes (for which I’m pinch-hitting for @peteabeglobe.bsky.social this week): Hope in Chicago?; rethinking the Contreras home-field advantage; Red Sox IF targets, and more: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/27/s...
Under Craig Breslow, the Red Sox have made 44 trades involving major leaguers - 2nd most in MLB to the Rays (49) in that time, and one more than Chaim Bloom made in a tenure almost 2x as long. Why have trades become the central part of Sox roster-building? www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/27/s...
Just call him Trader Craig, as Breslow has become an eager dealmaker as head of Red Sox baseball ops - The Boston Globe
Since he was hired by the Red Sox in October 2023, Breslow has completed 44 trades involving players on the 40-man roster.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Under Craig Breslow, the Red Sox have made 44 trades involving major leaguers - 2nd most in MLB to the Rays (49) in that time, and one more than Chaim Bloom made in a tenure almost 2x as long. Why have trades become the central part of Sox roster-building? www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/27/s...
Kristian Campbell wrapped up his winter ball stint in Puerto Rico last night. A look at the adjustments he worked on while playing for Caguas, aided by a constant rotation of Sox coaches. “As an organization, we’re making sure we take care of him.” www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/24/s...
Kristian Campbell’s winter ball stint is over, with Red Sox committed to his growth ahead of second year - The Boston Globe
The Red Sox coaching staff worked hard to fix a hole in Campbell's swing, as he hopes to make an impact at the MLB level next season.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Kristian Campbell wrapped up his winter ball stint in Puerto Rico last night. A look at the adjustments he worked on while playing for Caguas, aided by a constant rotation of Sox coaches. “As an organization, we’re making sure we take care of him.” www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/24/s...
With Willson Contreras brought aboard to play first base, where does that leave Triston Casas? www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/23/s...
With Willson Contreras traded to the Red Sox, what comes next for Triston Casas? - The Boston Globe
The first baseman has spent the offseason rehabbing in Fort Myers after rupturing the patella tendon in his left knee in early May.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:44 PM
With Willson Contreras brought aboard to play first base, where does that leave Triston Casas? www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/23/s...
Willson Contreras is among the most consistent righthanded hitters in MLB, joining Judge and Alonso as the only RHH w/3 straight years of 120+ OPSes. His addition is a solid start for the Red Sox - but one more bat is needed this offseason. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/s...
With Willson Contreras in the fold, Red Sox still looking for one more bat - The Boston Globe
Sunday night's trade for the first baseman was an important first step in reshaping their lineup. But there’s more to do.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Willson Contreras is among the most consistent righthanded hitters in MLB, joining Judge and Alonso as the only RHH w/3 straight years of 120+ OPSes. His addition is a solid start for the Red Sox - but one more bat is needed this offseason. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/s...
Breslow said both Mayer and Abreu have reached a point in their careers where they've earned opportunities to hit against lefties.
December 23, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Breslow said both Mayer and Abreu have reached a point in their careers where they've earned opportunities to hit against lefties.
Breslow: "There's only so much you can dig into your system in trades. ... Free agency is part of the equation here."
December 23, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Breslow: "There's only so much you can dig into your system in trades. ... Free agency is part of the equation here."
Breslow on making 10 trades and no free-agent signings: "It's not a deliberate or intentional" strategy to have only used one lever so far. "We haven't signed a free agent yet. ... We just haven't lined up yet."
December 23, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Breslow on making 10 trades and no free-agent signings: "It's not a deliberate or intentional" strategy to have only used one lever so far. "We haven't signed a free agent yet. ... We just haven't lined up yet."
Breslow on adding another bat: "I think it's a target. It's a priority for us." Says free agency and trades remain in play to do so.
December 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Breslow on adding another bat: "I think it's a target. It's a priority for us." Says free agency and trades remain in play to do so.
Breslow on remaining team needs: "We're still looking for any opportunity to improve our team. We feel like we've got a competitive team, one capable of a postseason run, but we also recognize the roster is incomplete."
December 23, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Breslow on remaining team needs: "We're still looking for any opportunity to improve our team. We feel like we've got a competitive team, one capable of a postseason run, but we also recognize the roster is incomplete."
Breslow said he talked to Casas on Monday: "We still have a ton of confidence and belief in Triston. ... He was great in our conversation and understood this was a chance for the organization to take a step forward."
December 23, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Breslow said he talked to Casas on Monday: "We still have a ton of confidence and belief in Triston. ... He was great in our conversation and understood this was a chance for the organization to take a step forward."
Breslow says the Sox seem Willson Contreras helping at a position of need -- first base. He didn't completely shut the door on him catching, but made clear that Contreras is seen primarily as a 1B with some DH responsibilities. He notes Contreras increased his pull rate in 2025- promising for Fenway
December 23, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Breslow says the Sox seem Willson Contreras helping at a position of need -- first base. He didn't completely shut the door on him catching, but made clear that Contreras is seen primarily as a 1B with some DH responsibilities. He notes Contreras increased his pull rate in 2025- promising for Fenway
The Red Sox officially announced the trade for Willson Contreras. ICYMI - there was, after all, a football game - here's last night's story on the deal, which could offer a sizable upgrade in the team's production (offensive and defensive) at 1B over 2025 levels: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/21/s...
After concentrating on pitching, Red Sox finally add a bat in trade for Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras - The Boston Globe
Boston is sending righthander Hunter Dobbins and a pair of lower-level minor league pitching prospects to St. Louis.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The Red Sox officially announced the trade for Willson Contreras. ICYMI - there was, after all, a football game - here's last night's story on the deal, which could offer a sizable upgrade in the team's production (offensive and defensive) at 1B over 2025 levels: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/21/s...
Reposted by Alex Speier
Remembering now that I wrote this three years ago and wondering if I will ever have a take hold up exactly quite this well
December 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Remembering now that I wrote this three years ago and wondering if I will ever have a take hold up exactly quite this well
Reposted by Alex Speier
NEW REPORTS ✍️
The Cardinals added two more pitching prospects who were set to rank in the Red Sox Top 30.
The latest: buff.ly/6mbrqiZ
The Cardinals added two more pitching prospects who were set to rank in the Red Sox Top 30.
The latest: buff.ly/6mbrqiZ
Willson Contreras Trade: Scouting Reports On Prospects Yhoiker Fajardo, Blake Aita
For the second time this season, the Red Sox and Cardinals synced on a trade that involved pitching depth heading to St. Louis.
www.baseballamerica.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:12 AM
NEW REPORTS ✍️
The Cardinals added two more pitching prospects who were set to rank in the Red Sox Top 30.
The latest: buff.ly/6mbrqiZ
The Cardinals added two more pitching prospects who were set to rank in the Red Sox Top 30.
The latest: buff.ly/6mbrqiZ
Here's the story on the Red Sox' acquisition of 1B Willson Contreras - which offers the potential for a significant upgrade at a position (1B) where the team was among the worst in baseball in 2025, while keeping the door open to further lineup upgrade(s): www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/21/s...
Red Sox trade for Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras - The Boston Globe
Contreras moved from catcher to first base in 2025.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Here's the story on the Red Sox' acquisition of 1B Willson Contreras - which offers the potential for a significant upgrade at a position (1B) where the team was among the worst in baseball in 2025, while keeping the door open to further lineup upgrade(s): www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/21/s...
Contreras, under his renegotiated deal, makes $18M in 2026, $17M in 2027, and has a $20M team option with a $7.5M buyout - so a guarantee of $42.5M, and a chance to earn up to $55M. The Cardinals are sending $8M to the Sox in the deal. As a result, Contreras is valued at $17.25M for CBT purposes.
December 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Contreras, under his renegotiated deal, makes $18M in 2026, $17M in 2027, and has a $20M team option with a $7.5M buyout - so a guarantee of $42.5M, and a chance to earn up to $55M. The Cardinals are sending $8M to the Sox in the deal. As a result, Contreras is valued at $17.25M for CBT purposes.
The package, as reported by Jeff Passan, of Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita offers the Cardinals a nice balance -- a big league-ready starter in Dobbins, a pitcher who cracked my Red Sox top 10 in Fajardo (who looked like a solid, back-end starter in the FCL and A-ball), and...
December 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The package, as reported by Jeff Passan, of Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita offers the Cardinals a nice balance -- a big league-ready starter in Dobbins, a pitcher who cracked my Red Sox top 10 in Fajardo (who looked like a solid, back-end starter in the FCL and A-ball), and...
Can confirm that Hunter Dobbins is going to the Cardinals in the deal. Sox are dealing from the rotation depth they’ve accumulated.
Multiple sources confirm that the Red Sox are acquiring Willson Contreras from the Cardinals. Like Sonny Gray, Contreras received some financial concessions -- his guarantee increasing from $41.5 million to $42.5 million, with a chance to earn $55 million if a 2028 option is exercised.
December 22, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Can confirm that Hunter Dobbins is going to the Cardinals in the deal. Sox are dealing from the rotation depth they’ve accumulated.
The return is not yet known -- players are still being informed.
December 22, 2025 at 12:56 AM
The return is not yet known -- players are still being informed.
Multiple sources confirm that the Red Sox are acquiring Willson Contreras from the Cardinals. Like Sonny Gray, Contreras received some financial concessions -- his guarantee increasing from $41.5 million to $42.5 million, with a chance to earn $55 million if a 2028 option is exercised.
December 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Multiple sources confirm that the Red Sox are acquiring Willson Contreras from the Cardinals. Like Sonny Gray, Contreras received some financial concessions -- his guarantee increasing from $41.5 million to $42.5 million, with a chance to earn $55 million if a 2028 option is exercised.
The WooSox received the 2025 Freitas Award winner for best overall Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball. The award is presented by @baseballamerica.com. Probably not a surprise to those who’ve attended games at Polar Park.
December 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The WooSox received the 2025 Freitas Award winner for best overall Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball. The award is presented by @baseballamerica.com. Probably not a surprise to those who’ve attended games at Polar Park.
A closer look at the pitching prospect swap between the Sox and Nats of Luis Perales for Jake Bennett, including some scouting detail on Bennett: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/s...
The Red Sox weighed their options in trading pitching prospect Luis Perales to the Nationals for Jake Bennett - The Boston Globe
In many ways, the deal reflected contrasting positions of two organizations.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
A closer look at the pitching prospect swap between the Sox and Nats of Luis Perales for Jake Bennett, including some scouting detail on Bennett: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/s...
Quick reaction to the trade of Luis Perales for Jake Bennett: Makes a lot of sense for two organizations in very different places. Perales has huge stuff but will need a lot of time to harness it as he continues to regain feel post-TJ. He only has 1 option left. So: The Nats can give him runway…
December 16, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Quick reaction to the trade of Luis Perales for Jake Bennett: Makes a lot of sense for two organizations in very different places. Perales has huge stuff but will need a lot of time to harness it as he continues to regain feel post-TJ. He only has 1 option left. So: The Nats can give him runway…