Heading into the season the Tampa Bay Rays wanted to get back to being a good defensive team. They signed Colby Rasmus to man left field. They re-signed Logan Morrison in part for his defense (compared to other free agent options).Peter Bourjos was picked up for cash considerations at the end of spring training. Their first trade in July was for Adeiny Hechavarria.
The defensive metrics were fans of the Rays work. At the Fielding Bible via Baseball Info Solutions the Rays were the best team on the defensive side of the ball.