Last year, four of these players surpassed what had previously been the single-season high for a player since we started measuring DRS over 10 years ago – Andrelton Simmons (41), Gerardo Parra (41), Carlos Gomez (38), and Manny Machado (35) – so it is no surprise to see them show up here. Simmons, in particular, is noteworthy. He saved the Braves an estimated 19 runs in a little more than a third of a season in 2012 and 41 runs in 2013. It is very possible that the 32 DRS that he is projected for this year is conservative. In fact, the Braves are clearly betting on his defense, as they gave him a $58 million guaranteed contract despite Simmons having less than two full years of service time.
Interestingly, there are three ties this year. At pitcher, the Blue Jays are blessed with two of the best defenders in baseball. Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey have both consistently been at the top of the leaderboard for pitchers every year. In 2013, Buehrle actually recorded his lowest DRS total in a decade (four Runs Saved), enough of a drop for Dickey to steal the Fielding Bible Award away from him after an impressive four-year run. However, with a bit of a bounce back, this should be an interesting intra-squad competition in 2014.
At third base, both Machado and Nolan Arenado were revelations last year. While Machado finished with 35 runs saved to Arenado's 30, the two of them were on the same pace, as Arenado did not actually start playing in the big leagues until the end of the first month of the season. If Machado is able to make a full recovery from offseason knee surgery, these two could provide us with a tremendous defensive rivalry year-in and year-out.
And in right field, Parra and Shane Victorino both enjoyed their first campaign spent primarily at that position, having finished one-two in DRS out there in 2013. Both are projected to have another excellent season this year, though some of the other young stalwarts at the position, like Jason Heyward and Josh Reddick, may have something to say about who actually comes out on top.
Here are the top teams according to the defensive projections:
The Royals had the best team defense in 2013 as measured by DRS. They have made great strides over the last few years after having been the worst in the league back in 2010. They have solid defenders at most positions, but their outfield in particular is very strong with Alex Gordon in LF (two-time Fielding Bible Award winner), Lorenzo Cain in CF, and Norichika Aoki in RF.
The Tigers were horrible defensively in 2013, losing 63 runs over the course of the season. The biggest reason they are going to be much better this year is addition by subtraction. Subtract Fielder’s 13 runs lost at first base by moving to Texas, and subtract Cabrera’s 18 runs lost at third base by moving over to his better defensive position, first base, and you get vast improvement. Now add in Ian Kinsler at second base, a return to form defensively from Torii Hunter, and a full season from Jose Igelsias at shortstop, and the Tigers go from one of the worst to one of the best defensive teams in baseball in one season.