Fangraphs pre-season predictions (recorded 1/12/2016) had the Sox winning the AL EastHow low were pre season expectations? We signed one of the best SPs in baseball (Price) and traded for one of the best closers (Kimbrell) and also for one of the best set up guys in baseball (Smith) Most also figured 3B, 1B and LF would be a major improvement over 2015. I'm not sure what *your* expectations were, but I think most people thought we would be right in the middle of the playoff race throughout the season, which of course we have been.
SB Nation predicted 3rd in AL East
ESPN 31 "expert" predictions = 8/31 to win AL East, 5/31 picked them to be a wildcard, 4/31 picked them to win AL pennant, 0/31 picked them to win WS
Yahoo 6 "expert" predictions = win total ranging 85-90, 1/6 to win AL East, 3/6 to finish 2nd, 2/6 to finish 3rd, 3/6 making a wildcard spot. None picked them to win AL or WS. (also some curious prop bet style picks at the bottom)
CBS 5 "expert" predictions = 1/5 to win AL East, 2/5 to finish 2nd, 1/5 to finish 3rd, 1/5 to finish 4th, 2/5 to take a wildcard spot, 0/5 to win AL or WS.
Bleacher Report predicted 3rd in AL East (87 wins)
Sports Illustrated predicted 2nd in AL East (92 wins)http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/03/25/2016-mlb-season-team-previews
Seems like the sweet spot for most predictions was in contention for the division and the wildcard spots right to the end, with a win total in the 85-90 range. From a general overview perspective, the team is more or less right on target for where they were expected to be. From the up close, see every detail perspective, the season looks a lot worse than it is, especially considering a lot of what has happened hasn't exactly been according to plan. In some ways, I think some folks are failing to see the forest for the trees.