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)
Breslow said today that Gray was a great candidate for usage changes given that his four-seamer had bad results while his breaking stuff is elite.
152 pitchers threw 500+ 4-seam fastballs last year, only Gray's averaged glove-side cut. Only two pitchers had worse results with it, and only two had worse expected results (inc. Buehler). They may just delete those and divvy them up between sinkers and his breaking balls.
November 26, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Breslow said today that Gray was a great candidate for usage changes given that his four-seamer had bad results while his breaking stuff is elite.
Breslow on depth of farm system for this deal and potentially others: "It's never comfortable to trade starting pitching ... I also think it would be foolish to ignore we have built up some depth over the last year or so." He cites Harrison, Tolle, Early, Dobbins, and suggests "another group coming"
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Breslow on depth of farm system for this deal and potentially others: "It's never comfortable to trade starting pitching ... I also think it would be foolish to ignore we have built up some depth over the last year or so." He cites Harrison, Tolle, Early, Dobbins, and suggests "another group coming"
Breslow describes Gray as having "impeccable command."
November 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Breslow describes Gray as having "impeccable command."
Breslow on the free-agent markets for bats: "Still pretty early."
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Breslow on the free-agent markets for bats: "Still pretty early."
Breslow says Gray expressed "overwhelming excitement" about coming to Boston.
November 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Breslow says Gray expressed "overwhelming excitement" about coming to Boston.
Breslow: "We felt like there was an opportunity to upgrade our rotation in 2026. We did that."
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Breslow: "We felt like there was an opportunity to upgrade our rotation in 2026. We did that."
Breslow on whether he considers Gray a No. 2: "I don't know how much sense it makes in November to put a number on a guy."
Would he consider other starter acquisitions? "We still intend to improve our team. Exactly what that looks like, we don't know right now."
Would he consider other starter acquisitions? "We still intend to improve our team. Exactly what that looks like, we don't know right now."
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Breslow on whether he considers Gray a No. 2: "I don't know how much sense it makes in November to put a number on a guy."
Would he consider other starter acquisitions? "We still intend to improve our team. Exactly what that looks like, we don't know right now."
Would he consider other starter acquisitions? "We still intend to improve our team. Exactly what that looks like, we don't know right now."
Breslow on Sonny Gray: "It's a guy who's pitched at the front of rotations." Cites K rate, BB rate, and ability to stay off barrels as areas where Gray "excels."
November 25, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Breslow on Sonny Gray: "It's a guy who's pitched at the front of rotations." Cites K rate, BB rate, and ability to stay off barrels as areas where Gray "excels."
Bloom described it as "a little weird" to consummate a deal with the Red Sox as his first major move as head of baseball operations of the Cardinals, but said the focus on finding the best deal for the Cardinals to move them closer to their goals rendered that element irrelevant.
November 25, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Bloom described it as "a little weird" to consummate a deal with the Red Sox as his first major move as head of baseball operations of the Cardinals, but said the focus on finding the best deal for the Cardinals to move them closer to their goals rendered that element irrelevant.
Chaim Bloom on Clarke and Fitts: "Really excited about both of those players." And on Sonny Gray: "What he did on the field, who he is off the field, the dedication to his craft ... is something we all appreciate."
November 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Chaim Bloom on Clarke and Fitts: "Really excited about both of those players." And on Sonny Gray: "What he did on the field, who he is off the field, the dedication to his craft ... is something we all appreciate."
Here’s the initial story on the Red Sox acquiring Sonny Gray from the Cardinals for pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/s...
Red Sox trade for Cardinals righthander Sonny Gray - The Boston Globe
The Red Sox are sending righthander Richard Fitts and lefthanded pitching prospect Brandon Clarke to St. Louis in return.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Here’s the initial story on the Red Sox acquiring Sonny Gray from the Cardinals for pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/s...
Just to clarify on Gray -- he and the Red Sox reworked his contract, so that he'll earn $31 million in 2026 with a $10 million buyout of his mutual option for 2027. The Cardinals are sending $20M towards his salary for 2026. So: The Sox pay Gray $11M in 2026, then $10 million for the buyout.
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Just to clarify on Gray -- he and the Red Sox reworked his contract, so that he'll earn $31 million in 2026 with a $10 million buyout of his mutual option for 2027. The Cardinals are sending $20M towards his salary for 2026. So: The Sox pay Gray $11M in 2026, then $10 million for the buyout.
According to a major league source, the Cardinals are sending $20 million to the Red Sox in the deal -- so the Sox are on the hook for $15 million of Gray's salary, plus the $5 million buyout.
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
According to a major league source, the Cardinals are sending $20 million to the Red Sox in the deal -- so the Sox are on the hook for $15 million of Gray's salary, plus the $5 million buyout.
Red Sox are sending LHP Brandon Clarke and RHP Richard Fitts to the Cardinals for Gray, per source.
November 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Red Sox are sending LHP Brandon Clarke and RHP Richard Fitts to the Cardinals for Gray, per source.
Major league source confirms Jon Heyman’s report that the Red Sox are acquiring RHP Sonny Gray from the Cardinals. Return to StL isn’t yet known, as players are being notified of the deal.
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Major league source confirms Jon Heyman’s report that the Red Sox are acquiring RHP Sonny Gray from the Cardinals. Return to StL isn’t yet known, as players are being notified of the deal.
Reposted by Alex Speier
Yankees LHP Tim Hill was named winner of the 2025 Tony Conigliaro Award for a player who has overcome adversity. It has been given by the Red Sox and Conigliaro family since 1990.
Hill, 35, overcame Stage 3 colon cancer at age 25, made his MLB debut at 28 and has been in the majors since.
Hill, 35, overcame Stage 3 colon cancer at age 25, made his MLB debut at 28 and has been in the majors since.
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Yankees LHP Tim Hill was named winner of the 2025 Tony Conigliaro Award for a player who has overcome adversity. It has been given by the Red Sox and Conigliaro family since 1990.
Hill, 35, overcame Stage 3 colon cancer at age 25, made his MLB debut at 28 and has been in the majors since.
Hill, 35, overcame Stage 3 colon cancer at age 25, made his MLB debut at 28 and has been in the majors since.
Payton Tolle - named the top Red Sox prospect in my updated top 10 list for @baseballamerica.com on Monday - joined the 310 to Left podcast to discuss his ranking and his offseason homework. He has a three-part assignment. Watch/listen/enjoy! youtu.be/IWebWmEz_GQ?...
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Payton Tolle - named the top Red Sox prospect in my updated top 10 list for @baseballamerica.com on Monday - joined the 310 to Left podcast to discuss his ranking and his offseason homework. He has a three-part assignment. Watch/listen/enjoy! youtu.be/IWebWmEz_GQ?...
Chat starts in just over a half-hour. Queue ‘em up!
Have questions about our Red Sox Top 10 update?
Leave them in our Red Sox prospect chat starting at 2 p.m. ET ⤵️
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/bost...
Leave them in our Red Sox prospect chat starting at 2 p.m. ET ⤵️
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/bost...
Boston Red Sox 2026 MLB Prospects Chat
We're answering your questions about Red Sox prospects and the state of the Boston farm system today at 2 p.m. ET.
www.baseballamerica.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Chat starts in just over a half-hour. Queue ‘em up!
And here’s my annual @bostonglobe.com companion piece to my top-10 prospect list, examining a key question facing the development of each of the Red Sox top 10 prospects: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/s...
Ranking the Red Sox’ top 10 prospects, and the biggest questions we have about each - The Boston Globe
Just two of the team’s top 10 prospects were identified that way a year ago.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
And here’s my annual @bostonglobe.com companion piece to my top-10 prospect list, examining a key question facing the development of each of the Red Sox top 10 prospects: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/s...
My new list of the top 10 Red Sox prospects is up at @baseballamerica.com. I’ll be chatting about my list at 2pm - feel free to fire away with questions: www.baseballamerica.com/stories/bost...
Boston Red Sox 2026 MLB Prospects Chat
We're answering your questions about Red Sox prospects and the state of the Boston farm system today at 2 p.m. ET.
www.baseballamerica.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
My new list of the top 10 Red Sox prospects is up at @baseballamerica.com. I’ll be chatting about my list at 2pm - feel free to fire away with questions: www.baseballamerica.com/stories/bost...
Reposted by Alex Speier
🚨 NEW RED SOX TOP 10 PROSPECTS 🚨
Some pitching is on the way 👀
New rankings, reports & more: buff.ly/rTFLmrh
Some pitching is on the way 👀
New rankings, reports & more: buff.ly/rTFLmrh
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
🚨 NEW RED SOX TOP 10 PROSPECTS 🚨
Some pitching is on the way 👀
New rankings, reports & more: buff.ly/rTFLmrh
Some pitching is on the way 👀
New rankings, reports & more: buff.ly/rTFLmrh
Besides Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Winckowski - both of whom were designated for assignment last week - the Red Sox tendered contracts to all other players without guaranteed contracts on their 40-man roster. Lowe and Winckowski are now free agents.
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Besides Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Winckowski - both of whom were designated for assignment last week - the Red Sox tendered contracts to all other players without guaranteed contracts on their 40-man roster. Lowe and Winckowski are now free agents.
Reposted by Alex Speier
Today was transactionally chaotic for the Red Sox.
Catch up on all of it: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/s...
Catch up on all of it: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/s...
Red Sox promote three to 40-man roster, cut Nathaniel Lowe, and make four trades - The Boston Globe
Lowe was the 40-man-roster casualty following a trade: reliever Luis Guerrero to the Rays for utility infielder Tristan Gray.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Today was transactionally chaotic for the Red Sox.
Catch up on all of it: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/s...
Catch up on all of it: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/s...
Alex Hoppe has been dealt to Seattle. AS a righty with a triple-digits fastball, he was a good candidate to get picked in the Rule 5 draft. The Sox instead get catcher/1B Luke Heyman, who was a 14th rounder out of Florida this year.
November 18, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Alex Hoppe has been dealt to Seattle. AS a righty with a triple-digits fastball, he was a good candidate to get picked in the Rule 5 draft. The Sox instead get catcher/1B Luke Heyman, who was a 14th rounder out of Florida this year.
The Red Sox acquired UT Braiden Ward from the Rockies for Bernardino.
November 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The Red Sox acquired UT Braiden Ward from the Rockies for Bernardino.