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Over the Monster

https://www.overthemonster.com/ | 262 entries published

But Can He Pitch?

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OTM Open Thread 12/16: They call him Bartering Breslow

Good morning! The Red Sox made another trade last night. And despite all the griping that fans now do about the offseason taking so long to develop (fans of all teams), that was somehow Craig Breslow’s NINTH trade of the offseason. Here’s Chris Cotillo with all the moves in one place: Talk about what you […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Smash or Pass: Cole Ragans

Welcome back to the 2025-26 edition of Smash or Pass, in which we examine potential free agent and trade targets to determine whether the Red Sox should pursue them and what it would take to land them. Next up, a left-handed pitcher to pair with Garrett Crochet who has been mentioned in Red Sox-Royals trade rumors. Who […]

about 2 months ago | 4 reads

Red Sox trade Luis Perales to the Washington Nationals for Jake Bennett

In the rare prospect for prospect, pitcher for pitcher, and guy already on the 40-man roster for guy already on the 40-man roster swap, the Red Sox are sending right-handed pitching Luis Perales down I-95 to Washington for left-handed pitching Jake Bennett. Jeff Passan, as usual, was first on the news. It’s certainly an unusual […]

about 2 months ago | 2 reads

Red Sox News & Links: Is there a Jarren Duran trade on the horizon?

What exactly is the state of play vis a vis a potential Jarren Duran trade with the Royals? Here’s one MLB insider who seems to be implying three somewhat contradictory things: (1) Kansas City is actively targeting Duran, (2) the Red Sox are asking for Cole Ragens in return, and (3) the trade talks themselves […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/15: Return of the king?

Good morning! The Red Sox are reportedly in on free agent Michael King, a perfectly cromulent pitcher but another guy who, like Johan Oviedo, isn’t exactly the type of top-of-the-rotation arm the Sox were reportedly focused on entering the offseason. Is this simply a case of Craig Breslow opening the door when opportunity knocks? Talk […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Smash or Pass: Chris Martin

After an up-and-down 2025 season with the Texas Rangers, right-handed (and very tall) reliever Chris Martin considered retirement. But according to Chris Cotillo, Martin is both (possibly) not retiring and a person of interest for the Boston Red Sox! He’s not ready to hang up the spikes just yet. However, interest is feeling like it’s […]

about 2 months ago | 4 reads

Red Sox News & Links: How willing are the Sox to trade Marcelo Mayer?

Are the Red Sox willing to trade Marcelo Mayer? With several big name free agents off the board, trade talk is starting to dominate offseason discourse and Mayer has been named as a possible return for someone like Ketel Marte. According to one source, the “Sox have shown reluctance to deal him, but haven’t treated […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Red Sox offseason Christmas cookie recipe!

Good tidings to all! Hosanna in excelsis in more ways than one maybe! We are in the full swing of both the offseason and Christmas season! So why not get even more in the spirit by baking a delightful batch of Christmas cookies? And these cookies aren’t just any old sugar cookies—these are the Red […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Smash or Pass: Framber Valdez

Welcome back to the 2025-26 edition of Smash or Pass, in which we examine potential free agent and trade targets to determine whether the Red Sox should pursue them and what it would take to land them. Next up, a controversial, Number Two starting pitcher who is known for acting out. Who is he and where […]

about 2 months ago | 4 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/12: Is Alex Bregman getting desperate ?

Good morning! Alex Bregman opted out of the final two years of his $120 million deal because, presumably, he thought he could get more money elsewhere. So you have to wonder if he’s getting a little antsy given the recent report that Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, recently approached the Seattle Mariners to “express Bregman’s willingness […]

about 2 months ago | 4 reads

Will Flemming isn’t lying to you, but it looks like the Red Sox are

The decline from a glorious peak is one of the most unsettling things in life, and sadly, the modern world is full of them. The deterioration of local town squares as small businesses shut down, the enfeeblement of loved ones as they age, the morning after a good buzz, and the uneasiness of daily life […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Meet The New Guy: Ryan Watson

Who is he and where did he come from? He’s Ryan Watson, a right-handed pitcher. He was acquired yesterday in a trade with the Athletics, who had just selected him from the San Francisco Giants in the Rule 5 Draft. He was born in Auburn, Alabama, and pitched for the Auburn Tigers in college. He […]

about 2 months ago | 6 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/11: Pete Alonso goes to the Orioles

And just like that, the two biggest free agent power bats are off the board. The Red Sox didn’t get Pete Alonso, and the Mets didn’t get Pete Alonso. Instead, he went further down I-95 to Baltimore for five years and $155 million. Given the Red Sox need for more pop in the the lineup, […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Smash or Pass: Kyle Tucker

Welcome back to the 2025-26 edition of Smash or Pass, in which we examine potential free agent and trade targets to determine whether the Red Sox should pursue them and what it would take to land them. Today we look at the single biggest name on the market. Kyle Tucker is a good player who might […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Red Sox News & Links: Wilyer Abreu to face more lefties in ‘26

We had some fun with the ridiculousness that is the Winter Meetings rumor mill this morning, but we do in fact have credible reporting that the Red Sox have engaged in trade talks involving at least four former all-stars: Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, and Cardinals […]

about 2 months ago | 4 reads

Smash or Pass: Patrick Corbin

Welcome back to the 2025-26 edition of Smash or Pass, in which we examine potential free agent and trade targets to determine whether the Red Sox should pursue them and what it would take to land them. Today we look at a veteran pitcher who had something of a bounce-back year in 2025. Who is he […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

OTM Open Thread 12/10: Per rumors, Red Sox in and also out on Ketel Marte, Corey Seager, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, others

Good news, everybody, the Red Sox are totally in on Ketel Marte! Except maybe they’re not: The Sox have also checked in with the Diamondbacks — a team in need of rotation help — about the availability of star second baseman Ketel Marte, though one industry source downplayed the team’s pursuit of Marte, suggesting other […]

about 2 months ago | 2 reads

Should Red Sox fans be paying attention to the Liverpool FC crisis?

Should Red Sox fans take a second to recognize what’s going on across the pond with the Red Sox’s sister franchise under the Fenway Sports Group umbrella, Liverpool Football Club? The reigning champions of the English Premier League are one of the biggest sporting brands on the planet. Beloved by millions across the world (for […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

I need Bo Bichette to be the Red Sox second baseman by tomorrow

While it’s true that I’ve never been the biggest Alex Bregman fan, I promise my affinity for wanting BoBichette to fill out the Red Sox’s infield next season is not due to bias from that (mostly). At the end of October, I wrote about Bichette and made my case for Boston bringing him in *if* […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Here’s how the Red Sox can turn Johan Oviedo into a key rotation piece

The Red Sox pitching staff is going to look a lot different in 2026. It’s the beginning of December, and the roster currently includes 13 pitchers with experience starting games in the major leagues. That number includes Garrett Whitlock and Jordan Hicks, both of whom will almost certainly work out of the bullpen, but it’s […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Smash or Pass: Ha-Seong Kim

The Red Sox have the players to fill out an entire infield on Opening Day right now. However it would come with a lot of risk, a good deal of upside, some downside, and two or three injury red lights. So they should probably explore an addition or two whether by trade or free agent […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/8? Will the Red Sox add a big bat during Winter Meetings?

The Winter Meetings are currently underway in Orlando. Yesterday, we hilariously saw Jeff Kent elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era Committee, a development that may bode very well for Dustin Pedroia (seriously, go compare their stats side-by-side). Tomorrow the draft lottery takes center stage, while the Rule 5 Draft is on […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads