Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox (69-93) - Last Place American League East

Yes, they is not a typo, the Boston Red Sox finished in last place in the American League East.  Everything from the end of the 2011 season to the end of the 2012 season was forgettable for Red Sox Nation.  After firing Terry Francona and losing Theo Epstein to the Chicago Cubs, the Red Sox hired fiery manager Bobby Valentine.  Oops, that was a mistake as personality clashes in the locker room ultimately led to the demise of the Red Sox and Bobby Valentine, as he was fired after the Red Sox worst record since 1965.

Pitchers- The Boston Red Sox pitching was nothing to brag about in 2012.  Clay Buchholz and Felix Doubront led the team in wins with 11.  John Lester led the Red Sox in innings pitched.  The staff as a whole was not very good.  Franklin Morales was a bright spot for the staff and in his 9 starts pitched pretty well.  He was also a gem out of the bullpen.  Alfredo Aceves led the Carmines in appearances and led the team in saves with 25.  Overall the Red Sox staff was awful in 2012.  Look for moves to be made in the off-season to sure up the staff from top to bottom.

Infield- Dustin Pedroia was the only mainstay in the infield all season, as first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and third baseman Kevin Youkilis were traded during the season.  Pedroia was very solid hitting at a .290 clip while scoring 81 runs.  Shortstop Mike Aviles was below average for the Red Sox in 136 games.  Will Middlebrooks was a great surprise for the Red Sox at third base and ultimately was the reason for the Youkilis trade.  Middlebrooks will be a mainstay in the line up for years to come for the Red Sox.  In 75 games, he hit 15 home runs with 54 RBIs.  Pedro Ciriaco was great filling in for Pedroia while injured and played a great shortstop at the end of the season.  The real shocker for the Red Sox came from Designated Hitter David Ortiz.  Ortiz led the Red Sox with a .318 average and mashed 23 home runs in limited playing time due to injury.

Outfield- The outfield for the Red Sox was a mess in 2012.  All-Star outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford missed significant time for the Red Sox playing in only 71 and 31 games respectively.  Cody Ross was the only outfielder to play in over 100 games for the Red Sox with 130.  Ross contributed with 22 home runs and 81 runs batted in.  Daniel Nava was a formidable player when he was inserted into the line up and even Scott Podsednik found his way into the Red Sox line up after spending sometime in Pawtucket.  Podsednik batted .302 in 63 games.  Health was the major issue for the outfield and hopefully in 2013 the Red Sox will be able to stay a little more healthy.

Crawford and Ellsbury only played in a combined 102 games in 2012.

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