Three Boston Red Sox position players have been named finalists for the Gold Glove Award, with right fielder Wilyer Abreu and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela returning as nominees after winning the award last year. Caleb Durbin received his first nomination at third base, adding to a strong defensive showing from the team.
Abreu, who has already taken home the Gold Glove twice, could become a three-time winner when the recipients are announced next month. He led all major league right fielders with 13 assists and was credited with 28 defensive runs saved during the season. Abreu faces competition from Toronto’s Nathan Lukes and Houston’s Cam Smith in the right field category. If he wins again, he will join an elite group of Red Sox players with three or more Gold Gloves, including Dwight Evans (eight), Carl Yastrzemski (seven), Dustin Pedroia (four), Mookie Betts (four), and Fred Lynn (four).
Rafaela, who won the award for the first time last year, led all American League center fielders with eight assists and recorded 21 defensive runs saved. He also topped all AL outfielders with 17 outs above average, ranking second in the majors only behind Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had 26. Rafaela will compete against Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan and Texas Rangers’ Evan Carter for the honor in center field.
Durbin, in his debut season with Boston, struggled offensively early on but maintained strong defensive numbers at third base. He posted six outs above average, balancing his early-season difficulties with reliable fielding. Minnesota’s Brooks Lee and Kansas City’s Nick Loftin are the other American League finalists at third base. The only other Red Sox third baseman to win a Gold Glove was Frank Malzone, who earned the award three consecutive times from 1957 to 1959.
Last year, the Red Sox had three finalists as well, with catcher Carlos Narváez joining Abreu and Rafaela. The team’s last occurrence of three Gold Glove winners in a single season was 2018, when Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Ian Kinsler all received the honor. Before that, Boston had three winners in 2011: Adrian Gonzalez at first base, Dustin Pedroia at second, and Jacoby Ellsbury in the outfield.
According to betting odds on Kalshi, the Red Sox are favorites at -194 to win the team Gold Glove award for the American League. Fans and analysts will be watching closely when the winners are announced next month to see if all three finalists can bring home the hardware once again.
According to Yahoo Sports.
