The Boston Red Sox, arguably, had one of the best defensive outfields in baseball in 2025, and it shows in the season's Gold Glove results. Red Sox Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela have brought home awards in right field and center field, respectively (subscription required).
The award is the second of Abreu's three-year MLB career despite injuries limiting him to 95 starts in right field. He still posted eight outs above average (OAA), 94th-percentile range, 97th-percentile arm strength, 15 defensive runs saved (DRS) and seven assists.
Rafaela earned his first Gold Glove in 2025, and it probably won't be his last. The center fielder's combination of speed and an excellent eye allow him to make breathtaking plays regularly — he and Abreu even combined for a rare two-player flyout early in the season, showing just how well they work together. Rafaela clocked 20 DRS, 21 OAA, 99th-percentile range, 97th-percentile arm strength and eight assists, making him a top candidate for the Platinum Glove, a fan-voted award for the best defender in MLB.
Ahead of a (hopefully) massive offseason for the Red Sox, Abreu and Rafaela's latest awards could bolster their trade value to help them net elite pitching or a power bat. Conversely, they could also point out that Jarren Duran is the clear odd-man-out in Boston's outfield.
Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafela's Gold Gloves point to Jarren Duran as odd-man-out in the Red Sox outfield
Duran was a Gold Glove finalist in center field in 2024, but he was beaten by Blue Jays outfielder, Daulton Varsho. Last season was a defensive outlier for Duran, who posted 10 OAA, 23 DRS and 12 assists over 160 games between left and center field. In 2025, Duran regressed back to his usual defensive output, with -4 OAA and nine DRS.
Duran also regressed offensively after placing eighth for AL MVP in 2024. He slashed .256/.332/.442 with a .774 OPS, 169 strikeouts and 24 stolen bases in 157 games. Last year, he batted .285/.342/.492 with an .834 OPS and led MLB with 48 doubles and 14 triples.
The Red Sox's outfield is going to be filled to the brim next season if they can't open some roster space with a trade. Abreu, Rafaela, Duran, Roman Anthony and Masataka Yoshida are in the mix for starting outfield jobs. Barring any potential trades, Jhostynxon Garcia and Kristian Campbell could need spots, as well, and Boston has reportedly had informal discussions with outfielder Rob Refsnyder about a reunion.
Anthony is also a superior defender in the big leagues, and will undeniably be an everyday starter in the first year of his contract extension. Anthony posted six OAA and seven DRS over 71 games in the major leagues. HIs defense was a severely underrated part of his game compared to his elite offense.
Duran's speed and years of experience in MLB could be valuable to clubs in need of outfield help from the trade market, but the Red Sox's pastures are packed. Duran's 2024 season seems more like an outlier after 2025, and Boston should use his remaining trade value to its advantage while it can.