The Boston Red Sox have never had a Platinum Glove winner in the award’s 15-year history, making them one of just two American League East teams (alongside the Toronto Blue Jays) with that distinction. However, the tide could finally change this year thanks to Wilyer Abreu.
The right fielder just won his third straight Gold Glove award on the back of his MLB-leading total of +28 Defensive Runs Saved, which easily paced the field; only Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers (+23) came within even five DRS of Abreu.
However, if the Red Sox are finally going to get their first Platinum Glove, it’s on the fans to make it happen. Voting for the award on Rawlings’ website is now open, and anyone who submits a ballot will be entered in a lottery to win a potential prize (the top one is a $1,000 gift card). The winners of both the award and the lottery will be announced on Nov. 6.
Wilyer Abreu’s DRS crown gives him clear path to Platinum Glove award
Of course, Abreu isn’t the only Red Sox player eligible for the Platinum Glove this year. Both Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin also won Gold Gloves at their respective positions, earning them a spot in the running.
However, neither has the same obvious case as Abreu, who can win this de facto popularity contest on the strength of his massive lead in DRS. Rafaela was probably the better defender on an objective basis — his +21 DRS was tied for second in the AL, and he finished top three in both Outs Above Average and Fielding Run Value — and Durbin was easily the best third basemen in baseball not named Alex Bregman, but it’s hard to appeal to the casual fan’s vote without a marketable tagline.
Of course, because this is a fan-vote-based award, it doesn’t always go to the best defender. The Red Sox should have something of an advantage thanks to their market size and the intensity of the fanbase, but that hasn’t helped them win in the past. Meanwhile, organizations like the Royals (three times), Guardians (twice), and Athletics (twice) have multiple years of Platinum Glove wins under their belt.
The good news is that Bobby Witt Jr., who won the 2025 award in the AL, somehow didn’t win a Gold Glove at shortstop this year, rendering him ineligible for the vote. That removes the Junior Circuit’s leader in both OAA and FRV from the equation, putting Abreu in a strong position to flaunt his DRS crown.
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