For years, the Boston Red Sox defense was a glaring weakness—a liability that consistently ranked among the worst in baseball. Over the last three seasons, Boston finished in the top two in errors committed, a stat that haunted the franchise and frustrated fans. But this offseason, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow made a calculated pivot. While the big bats on the free agent market slipped away, Breslow shifted his focus to something equally vital: run prevention. The additions of starter Ranger Suárez and third baseman Caleb Durbin were the first steps in a broader plan to tighten up the defense.
Though the season hasn't gone exactly as hoped, one part of that plan is already paying off in a big way. Entering Friday night's matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox were the best defensive team in baseball by defensive runs saved (DRS) with 29, and fielding run value (FRV) with 17. They also ranked second in outs above average (OAA) with 16, trailing only the Chicago Cubs. It's a dramatic turnaround for a team that once struggled to make routine plays.
Much of that success starts in the outfield, where Boston boasts two of the game's elite defenders. Right fielder Wilyer Abreu has won the Gold Glove in both of his major league seasons, and he's off to another stellar start—ranking in the top 10 in both OAA and DRS among all outfielders. Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, who took home the Gold Glove in center and was a finalist for the Platinum Glove in 2025, is right behind him, landing in the top 15 in OAA. Their range and instincts have turned fly balls into sure outs and saved countless runs.
But it's not just the stars in right and center. Left field has been equally impressive, whether manned by Jarren Duran or rookie Roman Anthony. Duran ranks in the top 10 among qualified outfielders in both DRS and OAA, while Anthony—despite some early-season throwing issues that have hurt his DRS—has posted an outstanding OAA of 6 in just over 133 innings. The depth and athleticism in the outfield have given Boston a legitimate advantage every night.
Where Breslow truly excelled, however, was in reshaping the infield. By adding elite defenders to the dirt, he addressed the root of Boston's defensive woes. The result? A team that no longer gives away outs, but instead takes them away. For a Red Sox squad searching for bright spots in a challenging season, this defensive renaissance is a foundation worth building on—and a reminder that sometimes the best offense is a great defense.