In Cafadaro's Sunday "Baseball Notes" column, he mentions the statistic "defensive efficiency" (DefEff) as one to watch. It "measures the percentage of balls put into play that are converted into outs." I googled it, and found the stat at Baseball Prospectus.  Last year, the Sox were 28th out of 30 teams. Ouch.

Notably, the DefEff numbers aren't the direct inverse of team BABIP.  DefEff includes errors, and BABIP by definition doesn't, but it is that the only difference?

I'd look it up, but I'm lazy. (Plus, I've got to hit the gym and watch the hockey game.) But I hadn't heard of the stat and thought I'd share. I know I'm curious how much our team D will improve this season, as measured by all these facy new metrics.

(Speaking of which, I found this Gasper piece on UZR to be amusing. I mean, count me as those who don't believe UZR is "teh best measurement evah," and I'm tired of over-reliance on it to say so-and-so sucks or is great or whatnot. But still, pieces like this make me pine for the days of "Fire Joe Morgan.")