9. John Lackey

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist

His 2011 season was the worst a Red Sox starter has ever had ... and the perception of his off-the-field antics actually made him more unlikeable than his inept pitching did, which was quite a feat in retrospect. But you know what? He deserves the benefit of the doubt. Really.

Yes, he’s overpaid, but his perma-sneer and awful body language betrays a true competitor who pitched through a damaged elbow during that lousy season. Healthy perhaps for the first time since he’s been here, he has a real shot a redemption in the role of workhorse No. 3 starter.