Defensive "Deficiency": The Red Sox D Ain't What It Used to Be

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

According to Baseball Prospectus' defensive efficiency metric—which measures how often balls in play are turned into outs—the Red Sox just aren't getting the job done.

Theo Epstein and the rest of the organization have been adamant about keeping a solid defense on the field.  And they have stressed it again this season, at least in terms of personnel.  But the team just hasn't been getting to balls as often as they have the passed few seasons. 

They are currently 27th in the Majors in regards to the metric (DE), and 13th in the American League. 

But again, the personnel, it is there. 

In center, Jacoby Ellsbury roams full time and has not been poor by any means.  However, his 3.2 UZR/150 (3.2 runs saved per 150 games), has been far from great. 

Ellsbury makes spectacular plays, and doesn't make many mistakes on the defensive side of the ball.  But the young CF is still learning how to run routes, and has been adjusting to the ballparks at this level. 

But Ellsbury is the victim of a small sample I would assume.  The sample size after 50 games is decent for offensive numbers,  but much less reliable when it comes to defensive metrics, which are not necessarily suspect, but not quite as reliable as offensive metrics in general. 

So this information should be absorbed, and an opinion should be formed, but that opinion should be taken lightly after only 50 games, in regards to a defensive metric. 

Kevin Youkilis, JD Drew, and Dustin Pedroia have all been good as far as defense is concerned.  None of the three are on pace to save fewer than four runs above average, which is obviously a very good thing. 

The largest problems are at the most obvious positions.

Shortstop

Julio Lugo and Nick Green have combined to give the Red Sox below-average defense at the most important position, outside of the catcher.  They both have struggled, combining for 15 errors, and both have posted sub-par UZR's.  We see these "struggles" on a daily basis, and in this case it has translated into some hard-nosed evidence.

Left Field

Jason Bay, even though he may be better than Manny, is not a good defender.  Bay overall has been great, but his -11 runs "saved" per 150 games is, like the Shortstops, sup-par.  Bill James once made it clear that there may be some flaw in the metrics because of the monster, but Bay has never been a great defender to begin with.  But the bat makes up for that, definitely.

Third Base

Not so obvious a flaw, but Lowell may too be the victim of the small sample.  Because, ever since Lowell has arrived in Boston, his defense has been quite good.  But he IS older.  35 years of age.  So range will be lost as one ages, and this may be no exception when it comes to Lowell. 

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