Ed Randall has been covering baseball on the radio and on TV for 38 years. In recent years he has made his home at New York City’s WFAN 660 AM, where he hosts Ed Randall’s Talking Baseball on 9:00AM Sunday mornings and on the MLB Home Plate SiriusXM satellite radio channel 175 where he hosts Talking Baseball on Saturdays. Recently he has complied a series of DVD’s from his television show Talking Baseball. The series is organized by team and each team DVD features a number of interviews with classic ballplayers in the clubs history, such as Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Roger Clemens and Roger Clemens.

I got a chance to speak Ed about his new DVD series and about the Red Sox new manager, Bobby Valentine. Covering baseball in New York Ed has spoken with the gregarious skipper many times and enthusiastically supported him for the Red Sox position.

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The last time the Red Sox played the Cleveland Indians, I did a short Q&A with the ever insightful Lewie Pollis of the Cleveland Indians blog, Wahoo Blues. At that time the Indians were the best team in baseball and the Red Sox were just getting themselves together after a very rough start. As they play each for the final time this season it would seem the roles have been reversed. The Red Sox now hold the best record in the American League and are frequently topping the various power rankings, while the Indians have slowed down and currently trail the Detroit Tigers by 2 ½ games in the AL Central. With a few big moves at the deadline the Indians are looking to get things rolling again as they head into Fenway.

Ben Buchanan and I ran down some of Lewie’s questions on the Red Sox over at the new home of Wahoo Blues and Mr. Pollis was once again gracious enough to give us some insights on the state of the Indians.

Without further ado, here is everything you ever wanted to know about the Cleveland Indians but were afraid to ask-

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Just before the start of last night’s game with the Cleveland Indians, Gethin Coolbaugh and I had a little Q&A with Lewie Pollis of Wahoo Blues. Lewie gave us some insights on the best team in baseball and we did what we do best, talked about the Sox. You can read our answers over at his site. Check out Lewie’s answers to our questions below and get a better sense of this surprising team After all, we just might have to contend come October.

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A few SB Nation Bloggers were given the chance to speak with Pedro Martinez on Thursday by Gillette as it continue its Gillette Fusion ProGuide Ultimate Summer Job tour. Thanks to Gillette for the opportunity, and for one of the cleanest stadiums in the country.

For Pedro Martinez, the park is divided into two worlds. "When you're inside the white lines, it's business, total business." Everywhere else, though "you're just a regular player, a regular human being, a regular fan. I think I was the biggest cheerleader the team ever had. I mean, not taking anything away from the fans, but I was a big cheerleader. I remember I used to tell everybody 'Everybody get your pom poms and let's go!'"

When he was between the lines, there were few better. In his prime perhaps the most dominant pitcher the game has ever seen, Martinez is a three time Cy Young Award winner (two second place finishes) who put up dead-ball era numbers in the height of the steroid era.

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I recently sent a set of questions to Amy K. Nelson, the new Red Sox beat writer for the brand-spankin' new ESPN Boston. She was kind enough to answer those questions for all of the great readers here at Over The Monster. Here's the Q&A:

1) First of all, how is it covering the Sox for the new ESPN Boston? What is the experience like for you? Has there been any challenges so far?

It's been very challenging but has also renewed my belief that a baseball beat is by far the most difficult to cover. Period. Not only is the travel brutal, but you have to arrive each day and try and come up with something different and creative to write (if you so choose). That is extremely difficult, and I have nothing but respect for my colleagues who do it every year. The biggest challenge is coming onto a beat when the season is almost over. I have not been following the team as closely as a beat guy would, and therefore don't have as much context and certainly not as many relationships established - an absolute must if you're going to be competitive on a beat. Luckily, I used to be based in Boston so that has helped me in some ways, but it's still a challenge.

2) Speaking of ESPN Boston, many people already think ESPN has an "east coast bias." This obviously isn't going to erase those thoughts. But what kind of things are we going to see from ESPN Boston that we wouldn't normally see from ESPN itself?

I think this is probably a better question for the bosses, but generally speaking, I believe the goal is to provide excellent local coverage on all the New England teams, just as any local outlet would (and obviously the goal would be to do it better.)

3) Are sportswriters starting to come around to the "SABR" way of using stats? If not, why do you think that is?

I saw my colleague Jerry Crasnick answer a question like this in a chat recently, and I think he nailed it: he peruses many of the SABR-friendly sites on a regular basis, but that doesn't mean that narrative and story telling should go by the wayside. If you've read my work before, I tend to be much more interested in the human element of the game than on the stats. It's just a personal preference; I'd rather write a story about the struggles of people like Rod Beck or Fred Lewis, or how everyone collided at that intersection the night Nick Adenhart died, than analyze them statistically. And that's not a knock on the SABR community at all. There's a reason why the BP guys are enormously successful at what they do and why colleague Keith Law has a crazy, intense and smart following - and not just because he's a foodie who's well-read (though I still say Cook's Illustrated is great; he's not a fan).

4) Now to the Red Sox: the Sox have obviously benefited from acquiring Alex Gonzalez. Although historically his bat has been nothing special and his defense has declined over the years, what's the feedback from the front office, Tito and his teammates regarding what he's brought to the team?

Look for more on that from me in the near future, but I will tell you that it seems this guy has always had a quiet efficiency; he's not one of the top shortstops who come to mind when you think of the position defensively, but current and past teammates have effusive praise for him. His acquisition could wind up being a very key one if they Red Sox go deep into the playoffs (and it's already paid big dividends).

5) Billy Wagner has been very good for the Sox. His time on the mound is limited, but do you expect the Sox to use him more in the postseason, if need be? Do you think the Sox would be hesitant to use him in a one-run setup situation?

I know Wagner wants to pitch on back-to-back days if he could, but they simply will not allow him. As of right now, I think they are going to keep it pretty conservative with him, and unless there are bullpens issues that blow up over the next two weeks, they will stick with their plan. I know Wagner wants to push it, but that is just his personality; you can certainly understand, it's a natural thing for him to want to ramp it up.

6) What do you expect the catching/first base/third base situation to look like next year?

The catching situation should be Victor Martinez as a mostly full-time catcher; you can see how quickly they have integrated him into the staff, and there's even a possibility he will catch Beckett before the year is out, though not a guarantee.

7) Clay Buchholz looks like he's finally -- well, Clay Buchholz. He's been great for a couple of months now. Do you think he'll be able to continue this success through the postseason?

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the biggest difference he's seen in Buchholz is his confidence. Orioles manager Dave Trembley said it was his ability to command the zone, especially with the fastball. If Buchholz is able to continue with this consistency and obviously command the zone, he will be effective. But you never know how a young player will react once he reaches the postseason. Working with Victor Martinez has been huge for him. I spoke to him at Yankee stadium over a month ago, when Martinez had only caught him twice, and he was already raving then about the battery and his comfort level with Martinez.

8) If the Sox make the playoffs (I still have to throw that "if" in there), are there any players that could be on the fringe for making the 25-man roster for the ALDS? Where does a guy like Casey Kotchman or Nick Green fit in?

Look for me to address this soon, but as we know, Nick Green's status is questionable. I'm not sure if this couldn't be something more serious...

9) Who will be the left fielder for the Red Sox next season? Will Jason Bay be back, or is a player like Matt Holliday due for Boston?

I think most everyone in that clubhouse thinks the Red Sox are crazy if they don't bring back Bay. He is universally liked and respected, with many players calling him their MVP.

10) What are your predictions for this year's AL Cy Young and AL MVP?

Greinke and Mauer.

Be sure to check out Amy's ESPN blog and make sure to follow Amy on Twitter @amyknelson. (I follow her -- her tweets are top-notch, if I say so myself. Oh, and she's a "Mad Men" fan -- that makes her No. 1 in my book.)

Due to strong reader request, I was able to contact WEEI's Rob Bradford recently and he agreed to answer some questions for Over The Monster readers.

I've got a few questions in the back of my head, but I'm asking you -- the readers -- to provide whatever you got and I'll send them over. If you have a burning question, drop it in the comments and I'll pick the best to forward to Rob. Leave your questions ASAP because I'm hoping to send them tonight or tomorrow morning.

Or, if you prefer, you can e-mail your questions to me at RBOOTH [AT] OVERTHEMONSTER [DOT] COM.

The Boston Globe's Tony Massarotti was kind enough to answer some questions from us at Over The Monster regarding everything and anything Red Sox. Massarotti has been covering the Red Sox since 1994 when he was with the Boston Herald. In September, Massarotti made a move to the Globe where he has been covering the Red Sox ever since.

The Globe's Tony Massarotti.

1. There's been a lot of talk about the Red Sox making a deal with the Texas Rangers for a young catcher. A lot of hype surrounds Saltalamacchia, but he has yet to deliver on the promise. Teagarden seems like a more well-rounded player. Whom do you like more for the Red Sox, and who is the more likely target?

Teagarden seems like the more preferred choice given his defensive development to this stage, but the Red Sox love Saltalamacchia's upside and have for some time. (They tried to trade for him in 2007.) I think the club would do well to end up with either, though that could be difficult because Saltalamacchia could end up playing first base, too. Gerald Laird is a less desirable option, but one nonetheless.

2. If the Red Sox sign Teixeira, the conventional wisdom is that Youk will slide to 3B. Where does that put Mike Lowell?

On the trade market. Obviously, Lowell is coming off hip surgery, so he remains a great question. If the Red Sox have to hold onto him, Youkilis and Teixeira for a period of time, they would. But the shortage of third basemen in baseball would make Lowell quite tradeable if and when it comes to that. He is still a good player and signed for only two more years.

3. Do you think Clay Buchholz puts it back together this year and emerges as a more consistent major leaguer? Having thrown a no-no, he obviously has the talent.

Don't put much stock in the no-hitter. Most any pitcher can have a dominating game. (Joe Cowley, for example.) I still think Buchholz' greatest value is on the trade market. His performance last year was worrisome. If the Sox had dealt him last winter, they could have had the world for him.

4. Michael Bowden continues to be a highly rated Sox prospect, but you don't hear a lot about him. Is he destined for the Red Sox rotation, or is he more likely to be trade fodder?

Either. Of Buchholz and Bowden, I think the Sox are willing to trade one. Masterson seems like the best of the lot at the moment, and his versatility only increases his value. I'd be surprised only if BOTH Buchholz and Bowden are dealt.

5. Who is your 2009 minor league sleeper pick in the Red Sox organization?

Hmmm. Tough question. Not sure he qualifies as a sleeper, but Daniel Bard could be the next prospect to make his debut at Fenway. Also keep an eye on first baseman Lars Anderson, who is reaching a critical stage of his development. One other name: The Red Sox seem intrigued by catcher Luis Exposito, who played in low-A ball last year. Exposito is still a ways off, but he has overcome some personal problems and has good tools.

6.  Dustin Pedroia has always been a line-drive hitter, but this year he showed some serious pop, hitting 17 dingers and 54 doubles. That's amazing for a guy who probably measures 5' 6" with his cleats off. How did his plate-approach change? Can we expect more of the same in '09?

I think Pedroia always has had power. One of the truly likeable things about him is that he doesn't use his size as an excuse. He swings to do damage - and frequently succeeds. I think we're looking at one of the best second basemen and best players in baseball here.

7. What happened to Jacoby Ellsbury's plate discipline? Will he rebound in '09?

I thought the hype surrounding Ellsbury was a little excessive to begin with because speed has a way of making jaws drop. At the end of the day, it's all about production. All in all, Ellsbury had a fine rookie year, complete with the struggles that many young players encounter. What happens from here is up to him, though I am a little worried about his ability to consistently handle the inside pitch.

8. What is the biggest organizational need, from top to bottom?

A relatively young power hitter, which is why I think the Sox are prepared to b reak the bank for Mark Teixeira. Do not underestimate the important of the TANDEM of Ortiz and Ramirez in the middle of the lineup over the last six years. Manny is now gone and Ortiz has two years left on his contract. Hitters like that are hard to find.

9. Do you think that the Rays will repeat their success and capture the AL East in '09? They have a ton of talent, but to have such a dramatic reversal in bullpen effectiveness from '07 to '08 is surprising.

I agree, but the Tampa system is deep. David Price will have a much bigger role in 2009 and players like B.J. Upton only will continue to get better. Will they win 97 games again? Hard to say as they had great health, particularly on the pitching staff. As we know, it takes a lot to win, from health to luck to talent. Typically, teams with smaller payrolls ebb and flow. Wouldn't be surprised if the Rays won the division again. Wouldn't be surprised if they won 85 games, either.

10. Have you heard anything from the clubhouse or front office regarding Tim Wakefield's health? There is a rumor that his shoulder has been bothering him, and that he is seriously considering retirement.

Wakefield has had some shoulder issues over the last few years, but he's already signed for 2009. He'll be back for another year at least. Clearly, his age (and shoulder issues) have stripped him of some versatility, preventing him from pitching between starts, on short rest, etc. But he's still a terrific fourth or fifth starter.

11. What Web sites or blogs, if any, do you read that cover the Red Sox?

In all honesty, not many outside of the major local newspapers. My wife and I have two small boys, so we're in the midst of years that require a commitment to our children. When our kids are both in school, I'm sure I'll have time to surf the web, etc. At the moment, I'm just not at the stage of life where I can give up that time, which means I've had to sacrifice some knowledge, etc.

12. And finally, what's been the hardest transition for you personally going from the Herald to the Globe?

Honestly, I've been startled at how seamless it has been. The job is really the same and I knew most of the writers/reporters anyway, so there really hasn't been much of a change. Obviously, I'm developing relationships with new bosses and editors, and those will take time. (There is no substitute for that.) The Herald was great to me and I miss many of the people there on a personal level, though I still keep in touch with some. The Globe obviously is a bigger operation that allows all writers/reporters a great platform for our work, which is nice.

The Providence Journal's Red Sox writer Sean McAdam was gracious enough to answer a few questions for the readers of Over The Monster. He touches on all the hot Sox issues, including how he thinks Daisuke Matsuzaka will perform, if this really is Curt Schilling's last year, and what may be the worst move made by General Manager Theo Epstein.

Over The Monster: With a handful of candidates for the closer's job in Boston, who do you think will earn the job come April 2? Do you think the Sox want to lock their closer in for years to come or do you think they'd settle with a veteran like Mike Timlin for a year or two?

Sean McAdam: I'm completely up in the air about the identity of the closer for '07, although the kind of guaranteed deal they gave Pineiro ($4 million) seems to indicate that he'll be given every opportunity to win the job. I think this would be a big leap of faith for the Sox -- giving such an important role to someone with exactly one career save.

I don't think they're looking for anything longterm here. I still believe that by 2008, if not sooner, the closer with either be Craig Hansen or Bryce Cox.

OTM: What kind of season do you expect Diasuke Matsuzaka to have? Is he going to live up to the hype and money?

McAdam: It's impossible to know how Matsuzaka will transition, but from everything I've been told from people who've seen him, he has "plus" stuff and the ability to throw any number of pitches for strikes. In my book, those are two key components for success. No doubt, Matsuzaka will have some difficulty in adapting to a new country, culture, language, etc. But from what we know about his makeup and ability, I think he'll be a success on the mound. Does that mean 20 wins and a Cy Young Award? Probably not. But I think you can pencil him in for 15 wins.

OTM: How do you think Dustin Pedroia will handle the starting second base job in Boston? We've seen him impressively move up the ranks since draft day in 2004 but he struggled in his 89 at-bats last in the '06 season. Is there any chance Alex Cora wins the second base job in spring training?

McAdam: Pedroia struggled mightily in September and that caused some in the organization to have their doubts about his readiness and ability. But Sept. can be a tough month to evaluate young players. I think he'll be given every chance to win the job in spring training, but Cora will be a nice insurance policy. My guess is that Pedroia will play somewhere between 100-120 games and Cora will play the remainder. As for what to expect statistically, I think the Sox would be happy if he could hit .260 and field the position.

OTM: Back in November the Red Sox thought they had their right fielder locked in for 2007. Yet JD Drew's contract still isn't official. What exactly is holding up the contract from being completed? Is it Drew's health that is in question or is it some sort of contract terminology?

McAdam: Drew's deal is being held up because the Sox want to insert some language into the deal to protect them should his shoulder sideline him. When they got his full medical records, they discovered the shoulder was more troublesome that they initially thought. Several other clients of Scott Boras -- Magglio Ordonez, Pudge Rodriguez -- have signed deals like this. My guess is that this will get done eventually. After all, it's mid-January and Drew doesn't exactly have a lot of other options.

OTM: Curt Schilling has said for a few years now that 2007 will be his last season and that he doesn't want to go the "Clemens route." Do you think Schilling will hang up his cleats come November? Would there be anything that could bring him back to the Red Sox or another team, perhaps the Diamondbacks?

McAdam: Schilling has been adamant about this: 2007 will absolutely be his final year and nothing can change his mind. I'm inclined to believe him. Schilling has other business interests, he's set financially and he wants to spend more time with his family. He's in the process of selling his Arizona home, so his intent is to stay in Mass. upon his retirement.

OTM: Josh Beckett had one of the most disappointing seasons in a Boston uniform last year. Have you heard anything about his training this off-season? Has new pitching coach John Farrell addressed Beckett at all or talked with him? Do you think Beckett will bounce back in 2007?

McAdam: Beckett was a disappointment. On the plus, side he stayed healthy for the entire season and posted career highs for starts and innings. Farrell hasn't said a whole lot about Beckett; most of the questions for him have centered, predictably, around Matsuzaka and the closer's role. Beckett needs to mix in his pitches better and not try to blow everyone away with his fastball. His stuff is too good for an ERA of 5.00.

OTM: There are rumors circulating that the Marlins would like David Murphy to be their center fielder in 2007. Would the Red Sox be willing to trade Murphy? What or who do you think they'd look for if he were to be dealt?

McAdam: To tell you the truth, I haven't heard the Marlins much in relation to Murphy. I know Florida is searching for a center fielder, but I think they're looking for someone a little more established. They were talking to Tampa Bay about Rocco Baldelli. The Marlins might be willing to move one of their many young starters, but not Murphy, who doesn't have that value. Murphy's path in Boston would seem to be blocked. Coco Crisp is signed for three more years and Jacoby Ellsbury is rising quickly through the organization. I've heard Texas has some interest, but I'm not sure if anyone believes he's ready to play every day in the big leagues.

OTM: Once the All-Star break arrives, what are Red Sox fans going to think about their new shortstop Julio Lugo? Will they be missing the defense of Alex Gonzalez or be enamored by the offense Lugo delivers?

McAdam: Lugo is going to be intersting to watch. His defense won't match that of Gonzalez -- that much is obvious. But the Sox like his range and his athleticism. Some errors will be frustrating to fans. As you point out, however, his offense will be a significant upgrade over Gonzalez, who hit under .200 in three different months in 2006. Look for Lugo to get lots of doubles (40?) at Fenway and chip in with 10-15 homers.

OTM: One of the mysteries over the past year and half has been Matt Clement. What should we expect out of him in 2007? Does he have a shot at being the pitcher he used to be, or will he be another pitcher that fails in Boston?

McAdam: I don't know that we'll see Clement again in a Red Sox uniform. He underwent rotator cuff surgery last fall and isn't expected back until late in the year. Clement has always been something of an underachiever, never posting numbers commensurate with his stuff. Boston was a bad market for him and his deal will go down as one of the worst moves made by Theo Epstein.