Hosted by: Alex Reimer

In this episode of “Without a Curse,” Alex previews the AL West with T.R. Sullivan, Rangers reporter for MLB.com:
*Are the Astros taking the right approach in dismantling their club, or should they make more of an attempt to be respectable in 2013?
*Was it wise for the Mariners to resign Felix Hernandez to a $175 million contract, or should they be leery of allocating all of those resources to just one player?
*The A’s won the division last year on the backbone of spectacular young starting pitching. Are they poised to do it again?
*Did the Rangers improve enough this offseason to stay atop the AL West. Plus, do they have a budding rivalry with the Angels?
*Will Josh Hamilton propel the Angels to the top of the division, or will significant questions with their pitching staff hold them back?

Alex also talks about the latest news around Red Sox camp, including the debut of Mike Napoli, and whether it’s realistic to think Jackie Bradley Jr. has a chance to break Spring Training with the major league team.

There was a false alarm last week, as Middlebrooks left a game after reaggravating his wrist. No additional damage was suffered, but did it reveal a woefully shallow depth chart behind Middlebrooks at the hot corner?

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex refutes many of the points Jeffrey Loria made in an effort to rebuild his public image last week to the media. Loria has never shown that his priority is to build a long-term winning team, no matter what rhetoric he spews to the press.

Mike Trout’s agent had some harsh words for the Angels over the weekend, as the Angels renewed Trout’s contract at a modest $510,000 for 2013. Would the Angels be wise to extend Trout long-term, even though they would have to pay more up front?

Email Alex at areimer@bu.edu, and follow him on Twitter @AlexReimer1.

11 T.R. Sullivan Of MLB.Com Previews The AL West

Alex Reimer

Alex Reimer has been hosting the critically acclaimed Red Sox podcast, “Without a Curse”, since July of 2005. Alex has also been profiled in The Boston Globe, and has been a guest on both “The Today Show” and “The Tonight Show” for his work on the podcast. “Without a Curse” can be found on www.thesportstuff.com, and www.youcastr.com. Alex can be reached at alexredsox076@aol.com.