In mid-April, his elbow came up sore after a diving catch and it looked like he’d miss a few days, but he immediately wound up on the DL with an strained right elbow, a move which made it clear this was a more serious situation.

Well, it took some time because he had to deal with some not-so-minor groin issues this year, but he did wind up having somewhat of a breakthrough. Well, at least he finally got a more extended opportunity to strut his stuff.

The dude was 37 before the season started and given that he was moving from a weak division to one of the toughest in the game (not to mention a nice hitter’s park for half his starts), we thought that as long as he didn’t backslide too much, it would be a victory.

Big Papi enjoyed a major bounce back season in 2010, was even better last year and was heading for one of his best years ever in 2012 before an Achilles’ injury decimated his second half.

Prior to the season, he got caught doing PEDs and faced a 50-game suspension that was going to really punch a hole in is Fantasy value.

So what happens? Desmond experiences a major breakthrough and winds up as the only regular shortstop in the majors to slug at least .500. He still can’t draw a walk, but that didn’t stop him from finally hitting for average (over .290). Oh, and as expected, Desmond topped 20 steals.