Boston Red Sox: 4 Players Who Will Disappoint Fans in 2012

After the way last season ended, it's hard not to put "Boston Red Sox" and "disappointing" in the same sentence. 

Although, after one of the most historic collapses in baseball history at the end of the 2011 regular season, Red Sox Nation has plenty to be excited about with one of the most potent offenses in the majors and capable pitching.

There will be numerous players who carry the Red Sox to victories day in and day out, but there will inevitably also be players who don't meet the expectations that have been set. 

Some players bound for disappointment have been around the organization for what feels like forever, and will simply run out of efficiency while the up-and-coming players trump them in every statistical category. 

Other Beantown ballplayers will crumble to the pressure of having an increased role, or simply don't have what it takes to compete at the level they will be put in.  

Let's take a look at some players who could leave Boston fans scratching their heads in 2012.

David Ortiz

At a hefty 36 years old, Red Sox legend David Ortiz is bound to start his decline soon.

He had a surprisingly promising season in 2011 with 96 RBI, 29 homers and a .309 average. Ortiz is a methodical fit for Boston's lineup at DH, so it was an easy decision for Boston's front office to keep him on a one-year contract. 

I don't believe this is the final year for Big Papi, but his dominance as Boston's power hitter has quickly shifted to Adrian Gonzalez, and Red Sox fans will have to come to expect much less out of Papi.

When you get disappointed in him, just think of what his old counterpart, Manny Ramirez, is up to. You'll come to be very happy with his 60-to-70 RBI.

Cody Ross

Red Sox fans will be expecting the Cody Ross of a few years ago, but it doesn't seem like those days are going to magically come about in Boston.

Ross had a putrid year statistically in 2011 with the San Francisco Giants, putting up a .240 average, 52 RBI and 14 home runs. He'll be expected to produce much more in Boston.

The organization brought in Ross for his fielding and consistency to play, so they will be happy to see him out in the green outfields of Fenway Park much more than his predecessor, J.D. Drew. But it'll be hard for Sox fans to swallow another .250 batting performance.

Luckily for him, the Red Sox offense isn't in dire need of his bat. 

Daniel Bard

Once the set-up reliever for Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard is now assumed to take over the No. 4 starting role for the Red Sox in 2012.

Bard's horrendous finish to the 2011 season was both a major contributor to their collapse and a precursor to this season. He gave up 12 earned runs and nine hits combined in his last nine appearances, which only adds up to a little over eight innings total.

So far in spring training he has struggled with pitch control, as he tries to make his transition to a starting role. He gave up seven runs in under three innings in his last spring appearance. 

Bard has potential to be great, but the latest indications are that he has disaster written all over him.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

Daisuke Matsuzaka turned into a cultural phenomenon both in Japan and the U.S. when he signed his mega deal with the Red Sox in 2006—an unprecedented move that has since been imitated in many professional sports.

Due to that, there will always be sky-high expectations set for the Japanese pitcher. However, he's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and shouldn't even take the field until late summer.

Matsuzaka's days with the Red Sox are all but over. Die-hard fans may be setting themselves up for the breakup already, but outsider Boston fans will be disheartened when they see Matsuzaka get lit up for 10 runs in his return.