For the second straight year, the Red Sox have spent a franchise-record amount of money on payroll. And once again, it will blow up in their face.

Alex previews the 2016 Red Sox season inside this edition of Without a Curse, and he isn't optimistic. Despite all of the money the team shelled out this offseason, the roster remains incredibly thin behind David Price, Craig Kimbrel and a blossoming group of young stars.

Benching Pablo Sandoval and Rusney Castillo may provide fleeting gratification for Red Sox fans, but it's symbolic of an organization that's completely lost its way. Championship teams don't start utility players at third base and left field. The Red Sox are desperate before they've even played a game.

In the "Around the League" segment, Alex previews the rest of baseball and also gives his World Series pick. The Cubs are too easy, but sometimes if a team looks like a juggernaut, it is a juggernaut. Cubs over Indians in the Fall Classic this season.

Follow Alex on Twitter, @AlexReimer1.