The Boston Red Sox's defense dabbled in the extremes in 2025. The Sox fielded some utterly disastrous defenders and committed the most errors in the league with a staggering 116, six more than the Colorado Rockies, who were in the running for the title of worst team of all time.
Conversely, the Red Sox also boast three Gold Glove nominees. Catcher Carlos Narváez and outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela are Gold Glove finalists for their respective positions.
Abreu won the Gold Glove for right field last season. There was a solid argument for a potential nomination for Rafaela based on his body of work in center field, however, he also made 82 appearances at shortstop in Trevor Story's extended absence. Rafaela is capable of excellent plays on the dirt, as he is on the grass, but the constant changes between positions may have hampered his development during his rookie season.
Abreu and Rafaela in the field next to each other makes for one of the deadliest defensive outfield combos in MLB. Abreu posted eight outs above average, which ranks in the 95th-percentile among all right fielders, with 15 defensive runs saved. Rafaela was, arguably, the best defender in the major leagues, with a staggering 21 outs above average and 20 defensive runs saved. The two players even combined for one of the funniest, rarest catches most baseball fans have ever seen, among plenty of iconic plays on their own.
The Red Sox's sloppy defense didn't stop Gold Glove finalists Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Carlos Narváez from dominating
Abreu and Rafaela's dominance in the outfield is great insurance for Boston's rough infield defense. Abraham Toro (-3 OAA) and Kristian Campbell (-9 OAA) were inexperienced at their relative positions when the Sox added them to the roster, and Story posted a down year defensively (-9 OAA, 19 errors). Abreu and Rafaela's range and knowledge in the outfield could have prevented any further disasters on misplays from the infield.
Narváez also posted an outstanding season behind the dish in his rookie season with the Red Sox. He ranked in the 88th percentile in blocks above average, the 98th in caught stealing above average, the 85th in framing and clocked 10 defensive runs saved. However, Narváez's aggression at the plate didn't always pay off — his nine errors, many of them due to catcher's interference, are tied for the second-most on the team. He was involved with every single pitch, though, and he could easily improve this aspect of his game for next year.
Abreu and Rafaela seem more likely to win their respective categories based on their competition, but Narváez is up against two of the best catchers in the game in Dillon Dingler and Alejandro Kirk. Regardless of whether they each bring home a Gold Glove or not, the Red Sox's defense in the outfield and behind the plate will be rock solid for years to come (barring any trades).