Last year's team was pathetic. Something like 65% of our pitching was from guys like Perez, Weber and dozens of scrubs.
We knew the budget was going to be fixed.
We knew we had over a dozen 40 man roster slots that needed much improvement.
We had some hopes in guys like Pivetta, Arroyo, Dalbec, Renfroe, Cordero, Marwin and others, but a lot of "ifs and or buts."
Whitlock was a "magic carper ride" as was Renfroe to some extent and the hot streak by Dalbec. ERod and Sale's returns were not certain, at least as their former selves.
That being said, I predicted 86 wins before we signed anyone. I loved the Kike signing. My biggest reason for having so much hope going into this year was more about how the other AL teams looked. From day one, I pointed out that every AL team had major weaknesses. I think that rang true.
It looks like the Astros had the least of all.
I wasn't a Sox fan in '67, but from what I know, that season was more magical than 2021 and 2013. We can agree on that.