Red Sox History: Ranking every squad of the 21st century

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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 10: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox tips his cap after the Cleveland Indians defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in game three of the American League Divison Series to advance to the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 10, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 9: 2016 Red Sox (93-69)

The story of the 2016 Red Sox was annoyingly familiar: Elite offense, lack of starting pitching depth, and an inconsistent bullpen.

The offense was the best in baseball, led by an unbelievable swan song from David Ortiz (164 OPS+, 38 HR, 127 RBIs) and an MVP-caliber campaign from Mookie Betts (.318 average). They also got bounce-back seasons from veterans Hanley Ramirez (30 HR, 110 RBI) and Dustin Pedroia (.318 AVG), as well a career season from Jackie Bradley Jr. (26 HR, 87 RBI).

Rick Porcello anchored the pitching staff with 22 wins en route to a Cy Young award, and David Price led the league with 35 starts and 230 innings pitched, albeit with a mediocre 3.99 ERA. The rest of the rotation, however, couldn’t pull its weight. All-Star knuckleballer Stephen Wright made just seven terrible starts in the second half, while Clay Buchholz (4.78 ERA), Eduardo Rodriguez (4.71), and mid-season acquisition Drew Pomeranz (4.59) couldn’t pick up the slack. Craig Kimbrel disappointed in his first season in Boston, struggling with his control all year en route to a career-worst 3.40 ERA.

The Red Sox backed into the playoffs with a 1-5 record before getting swept by the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS.

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