I think it may be a case of a team with many players who need to learn how to win. If you think about it, other than Ortiz and Pedroia, who has been through pennant chases before? Ramirez with the Dodgers to some extent. Bogaerts was there in 2013, but only as a bit player down the stretch. Bradley wasn't even that in 2013. Betts has played for 2 last place teams. Shaw is essentially a first year player. Holt is what he is, a utility guy. Hanigan has, but he's the back-up catcher. On the pitching staff, Porcello with the Tigers (and he has pitched pretty well). Price. Pretty much nobody else.
It may be a club that's a year away.