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Over the Monster

https://www.overthemonster.com/ | 278 entries published

But Can He Pitch?

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OTM Open Thread 12/25: Merry Christmas from OTM!

From all of us here at Over The Monster, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and we hope it’s a wonderful day surrounded by family and friends wherever you are! As we wait for action to resume, let’s hope some Sox free agent gifts are still somewhere at the bottom of Santa’s bag, and that […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Roman Anthony, man about town

Roman Anthony was recently spotted at a Celtics game, which is awesome. It’s always fun to see Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins players show up at Fenway on Opening Day, especially after a World Series. Or David Ortiz at anything. Just seeing Big Papi showing up somewhere makes it that much more interesting. So as this […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/23: Christmas Eve Eve

Happy Tuesday, Red Sox Nation! We’ve passed the darkest day of the year, inched closer towards some time off for the holidays, and traded for Willson Contreras. Alex Bregman remains unsigned, and Craig Breslow refused to answer questions about luxury tax thresholds. That’s all I’ve got. Use this thread to talk about whatever you want. […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

What’s next for Triston Casas after the Willson Contreras trade?

I’ve been vocal about my love for Triston Casas, and my hopes for his emergence as a key part of the Red Sox roster for years to come. These hopes and dreams once seemed quite reasonable, based on early returns, but they’ve been dashed by significant injuries and questions about whether he can ever meet […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Red Sox acquire Willson Contreras in trade with Cardinals

The Red Sox today acquired three-time all-star first baseman (former catcher) Willson Contreras — and $8 million in cash to pay down part of the $41.5 million that remains in the last three years of his contract — from the St. Louis Cardinals (obviously) in exchange for Hunter Dobbins, single-A prospect Yhoiker Fajardo (#8 in […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Potential Red Sox Trade Target: Yandy Diaz of the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays completed two significant trades this afternoon. First, they dealt Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh as part of a three-team deal with the Astros involved as well. Tampa got two prospects back in the deal: Jacob Melton, an outfielder from Houston, who has some major league experience, as well as High-A pitcher Anderson […]

about 2 months ago | 4 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/19: Does Kristian Campbell have a position now?

Good morning. Kristian Campbell is starting to look a little bit better at the plate down in Puerto Rico. He’s also reportedly going to be playing exclusively left field down there. Interestingly, Campbell did not start any of the final 10 games of the 2025 season in left. (Moreover, the last thing the Red Sox […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Your 2025 Red Sox Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the holiday season and, even if your favorite baseball team isn’t being as generous as you’d like, that doesn’t mean you should follow its example. If you’re looking for a Red Sox-themed gift for friends or loved ones, here are some favorites from the OTM staff. A puzzle, a snuggy, and a creepy bobblehead […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Should the Red Sox bring back Rob Refsnyder?

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, an in-house veteran who is one of the best hitters in the game… in one particular scenario. […]

about 2 months ago | 2 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/18: Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette?

Ignoring the fact the Red Sox don’t do guaranteed long-term free agents contracts anymore (they literally have not handed a deal to a free agent for more than two years guaranteed with no opt outs under Craig Breslow), I’d like to pause for a moment and pretend they’ll actually get serious. Simple question: Who would […]

about 2 months ago | 3 reads

Red Sox News & Links: Potential free agent target Bo Bichette willing to play second

If you haven’t been following Kristian Campbell down in Puerto Rico this winter, here’s a little update: in 8 games he’s hit .214 with just 3 extra base hits. Not great, Bob! But the Sox aren’t too concerned with his back-of-the-baseball-card results. They view this as an opportunity to “pressure-test” the changes he made to […]

about 2 months ago | 2 reads

OTM Open Thread 12/17: Alex Bregman to Diamondbacks rumors pick up

Good morning! There’s a new player in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and it’s… the Arizona Diamondbacks? It’s certainly curious that Arizona would be in on Bregman given that they began the offseason purportedly open to move Ketel Marte in order to reduce payroll. Then again, the DBacks have moved in some interesting ways in free […]

about 2 months ago | 2 reads

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 | 4 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