I think it was. What was supposed to be an incredible starting pitcher lineup, got decimated. Price out, E-Rod out for a while, Porcello not performing, The fill ins had their issues, but over all kicked ass.
Also the bullpen. Barnes and Hembree were really good the first half of the year, way better than expected.
This team was expected to win the ALE. But I think no one predicted how they ended up doing so. Heck, who would have thought Vasquez would do what he did this year.