I never bought the “Best Defense Ever” tag put on the 2016 Chicago Cubs. How quickly the media forgot even the 2015 champion Royals, who featured a Gold Glove winner or finalist at six of eight positions. But the Cubs’ defense in that World Series season was indeed an elite weapon. It helped minimize pitch counts, lengthened starts, prevented runs, and pressured opponents.
The Cubs aren’t in that same category this season, but their defense is still good. One can find complex defensive metrics to support almost any position, but I personally consider the Cubs defense best in the NL Central.