Daily Red Sox Links: Appreciating Mookie Betts’ defense

Two weeks ago, we took a look at Mookie Betts and how he has somehow flown under the radar for the Boston Red Sox. Easily the best position player on the team, I spent a few paragraphs reminding the few who forgot that fact, relying on his work at plate. But I left out another piece of the equation: his defense.

Defense is not something that fits onto the back of a baseball card and can oftentimes be overlooked unless a player does something really bad or exceptionally good. You expect players to make the routine plays and are overjoyed when they lay out to rob a base hit. But what about the plays in between? That’s where elite defenders make their presence felt. Betts doesn’t have the flash…