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About Alex Speier

Before he joined WEEI.com, Alex covered the Red Sox for several New England and national publications, including the New Hampshire Union Leader, Boston Metro, Boston Herald and Baseball America. Alex graduated from Harvard, where he served as the captain of the debate team, an experience that has been of surprisingly little use in press boxes across the country.

 
COLUMNS
Alex Speier
01/22/2013 - 12:48pm
For Terry Francona and Red Sox, a complicated legacy
“There’s one thing I’m going to be proud of after I’m gone,” Francona said in the days after it ended. “I think they’re going to find there’s more [expletive] that goes on than they realize.”
Alex Speier
01/11/2013 - 9:06am
The Red Sox' search for the next Lester and Buchholz
In many respects, the Red Sox' fortunes in 2013 are tied to those of Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.
Alex Speier
01/08/2013 - 6:50am
Pipeline overfloweth? Why outlook for Red Sox pitching prospects is promising
The prospect widely viewed as the most promising pitcher in the Red Sox system is not taking part in the team’s Rookie Development Program. His absence, in turn, is revealing about the positive direction of the farm system.
Alex Speier
01/02/2013 - 9:32am
Who's on first? For Red Sox, with Mike Napoli's status uncertain, question still looms
It’s now 31 days since the Red Sox reached an agreement with Mike Napoli on a three-year, $39 million deal to be their everyday first baseman, and more than three weeks since the physical that turned a formality into an uncertainty.
Alex Speier
12/31/2012 - 10:08am
What the trade of Stolmy Pimentel says about Red Sox prospect pool
It’s now been almost a week since the Red Sox and Pirates completed a six-player deal headlined in both Boston and Pittsburgh by the relocation of closer Joel Hanrahan to the Sox.
Alex Speier
12/24/2012 - 10:13am
Going for it? Why Red Sox' trade for Joel Hanrahan is noteworthy
At the start of the offseason, it seemed like there was a profile of the type of player for whom the Red Sox might trade.
Alex Speier
12/20/2012 - 9:21am
Will Ryan Dempster remain durable as a Red Sox?
One of the hallmarks of Ryan Dempster’s second life as a starter has been durability.
Alex Speier
12/19/2012 - 9:11am
Why Stephen Drew is a gamble worth taking
  It's been two years since Stephen Drew had a full, healthy season. And so, it has been a considerable period of time since he's resembled one of the top shortstops in the game. And it's possible that he'll never perform at such a level again. But what if he does? What if, for $9.5 million, the Sox landed one of the more productive offensive shortstops in the game?
Alex Speier
12/14/2012 - 10:50am
What are they doing? Explaining Red Sox' offseason moves
The Red Sox entered the offseason hoping to re-sign David Ortiz and add a starting pitcher, a first baseman and two corner outfielders. The team has spent aggressively to add a number of players who are viewed (aside from Ortiz) as complementary but who fall below the level of stars.
Alex Speier
12/13/2012 - 9:26am
Caution flag? Napoli offers Red Sox early warning sign for 2013
Shane Victorino is set for introduction as a member of the Red Sox on Thursday. But even while he is front and center, a great deal of attention will turn to The Man Who Isn’t There.
Alex Speier
12/11/2012 - 9:59am
Beyond first impressions: Red Sox scout recalls Mike Napoli's path
There are players whose dazzling athleticism commands the attention of scouts in a way that ensures their draft prominence. Mike Napoli is not among them.
Alex Speier
12/09/2012 - 11:24pm
Reassessing risk: How many years is too many for Josh Hamilton?
A great deal of gray matter has been dedicated to the question of whether or not Josh Hamilton might sign a relatively short-term, high-dollar deal as a free agent.
Alex Speier
12/07/2012 - 7:54am
Stacking chips: Still in need of pitching, Red Sox positioned to deal
The Red Sox’ work with their lineup and position playing core isn’t done, but it’s not far from it. Starting pitching is another story.
Alex Speier
12/05/2012 - 9:11am
Money to burn? Red Sox still have room to spend big after Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- So, what kind of room remains in the Red Sox budget?
Alex Speier
12/01/2012 - 9:52am
After nearly two decades, a longtime Red Sox coach gets his shot
For John Farrell, the idea of dividing the work of hitting instruction between two coaches was a no-brainer. The job responsibilities of the position have grown to such an extent -- with a focus on both the technical aspect of swings and advance video work of scouting opposing pitchers -- suggest that the jobs of a hitting coach are now best divided among two coaches.
Alex Speier
11/30/2012 - 10:20am
Uncrossed bridge: Looking back (and forward) at a controversial Red Sox notion
It is a term that lives in infamy in recent Red Sox lore, one from which team owners tried to distance themselves if not outright repudiate after its introduction to the team’s vocabulary.
Alex Speier
11/29/2012 - 1:34am
Why B.J. Upton's deal matters to the Red Sox (in 2013 and beyond)
The Red Sox stood on the sidelines and watched as the Braves and Phillies took part in the B.J. Upton battle, an NL East competition that resulted in the 28-year-old receiving a five-year, $75.25 million deal from Atlanta.
Alex Speier
11/28/2012 - 9:16am
A perfect storm? Why Mike Napoli is at forefront of Red Sox targets
Why is it that Mike Napoli appears to be the free agent whom the Red Sox are pursuing most aggressively? How did a player who hit .227 in 2012 become so important that principal owner John Henry took part in his recruiting dinner?
Alex Speier
11/27/2012 - 8:56am
Jon Lester for Wil Myers? Making sense of a dazzling rumor
Game on.
Alex Speier
11/16/2012 - 7:20pm
For Red Sox, biggest MVP voting issue was third-place finisher Adrian Beltre
The Trout vs. Cabrera debate dominated discussion of the American League MVP race.
Alex Speier
11/15/2012 - 9:55am
Jerry Sands hopes to go from player to be named to X-factor for Red Sox
Jerry Sands spent six weeks in an ill-defined realm. 
Alex Speier
11/13/2012 - 10:34am
Fishing for Trout: Do Red Sox prospects move too slowly?
The 2012 season altered perceptions of what young players can accomplish in the big leagues.
Alex Speier
11/06/2012 - 3:42am
David Ortiz and the Red Sox' quest to restore an elite offense
It seems almost impossible to fathom that on July 16, the Red Sox had moved into legitimate contention.
Alex Speier
11/03/2012 - 8:50am
Why this deal for David Ortiz made sense for the Red Sox
Alex Speier
10/31/2012 - 10:09am
Is Xander Bogaerts the Red Sox' shortstop of the future (and when does the future begin)?
Xander Bogaerts can hit. No question there.


Audio On Demand

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow can…

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow cant play

Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.

It Is What It Is Cast, Jeff Howe

On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.

It Is What Is Cast: Injury Expert Will Carroll

In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and…

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

"Celtics Summer Cooler" With Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell - Hour 2

Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.

John Farrell postgame pre…

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell Manager's Show w/ Dave O'Brien

Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the last game of the Baltimore series. The skipper said that the Sox have played tough through this stretch of long games.

Jonny Gomes postgame with Joe & Dave after the third game in Baltimore

Jonny Gomes talked to Joe Castiglione & Dave O'Brien after the third game of the Baltimore series. The Sox slugger hit a homer and scored two runs in the win.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

Barry Pederson on the game three win

Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.

Barry Pederson on the gam…

Barry Pederson on the game three win

Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Bruins two wins away from the Cup

The guys opened the show discussing the Bruins' dominating Game 3 win over the Blackhawks. Gerry thinks the series is over.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Previews Game 3 between the Bruins and Blackhawks

Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and to preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup.

An hour with Jack Edwards…

An hour with Jack Edwards: Bruins look to take control of the Stanley Cup Final

We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for game three and beyond.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 06/17/13

Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. TO visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.

Previewing 'Hawks at Bruins Game 3 with the NHL Network's Kathryn Tappen

We talk about the Bruins big showdown with the Blackhawks tonight at the Garden with the lovely and knowledgeable Kathryn Tappen of the NHL Network.

Bernie Carbo

Bernie Carbo

Mikey gets a surprise call from Bernie Carbo, they talk about old time baseball and Bernie's new book.

Tom Bean and Luke Poling, Producers, Writers and Directors of Plimpton!

Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, Plimpton! and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything Plimpton accomplished during his life.

Daily Planet, Friday May 31st

Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.

Salk and Holley's Answer …

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/17/13

You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/13/13

The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/11/13

You ask, we answer... anything!

Bill Simmons is a sellout

Bill Simmons is a sellout

The guys opened the show discussing ESPN's NBA coverage and how Bill Simmons has lost his edge in recent years. Gerry praised Bill for anti-ESPN tweets following the coverage of Game 4.

More from this show

Stephen A. Smith on Doc t…

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on the Gam…

Shawn Thornton on the Game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.

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Is Doc a goner?

Is Doc a goner?

The guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.

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Minor Details Ep. 55: Xan…

Minor Details Ep. 55: Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo

Both Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.

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