Best and worst defensive players in MLB for 2016

Molina is an elite defensive catcher in every facet. He's won eight consecutive Gold Gloves with his mastery of calling games, blocking balls and controlling the running game. He's also usually graded as a plus pitch framer. Molina has thrown out 44 percent of attempted base stealers for his career and allowed only 64 passed balls over his 12-year career.

Suzuki is acclaimed for his ability to call games, but the numbers show a catcher who is really slipping defensively. He allowed 80 steals last season, throwing out only 15 percent of attempted base stealers. While he only allowed three passed balls last season, there were 36 wild pitches under his watch in 130 games, and he hasn't been a good pitch framer.

Not only has Goldy been the league's best offensive first baseman recently, but he's also been the best defensively. He led all first basemen in defensive WAR last season and committed only five errors.

There's a reason Alvarez has had trouble finding work this offseason, and it's not his offense. His transition from third base to first base didn't go smoothly in 2015, committing a jaw-dropping 23 errors, more than double any other player at the position.

As you'd expect from a natural shortstop, Gordon flashes great range at second base. He won his first Gold Glove last season, ranking among the league leaders at the position in range factor and committing only six errors all season.

There's plenty of time for the 22-year-old Odor to improve at second base, but he's not quite there yet. He tied for the league high with 17 errors at the position in 2015, though he did show decent range. The return of former top prospect Jurickson Profar could push him defensively.

Arenado gets the nod at third base, with an honorable mention to Manny Machado and the legendary Adrian Beltre. Arenado finished first overall in defensive WAR last season and easily tops in range factor. He's won a Gold Glove in all three of his MLB seasons.

Sandoval grew a reputation for having soft hands while in San Francisco, but he didn't show it last year. He committed 15 errors, the second most of his career, and has seen his range deteriorate. He could be looking at a move to DH in 2017 after David Ortiz retires.

There's not much doubt about this one, despite the tough competition. Simmons is known for his incredible range and arm, garnering a league-best 3.5 defensive WAR last season. His range regularly ranks among the game's best, and the fact that he still managed only eight errors in 147 games is amazing.

Cabrera's nine errors with Tampa Bay last season are deceiving because he showed almost no range, posting the worst range factor at the position by a wide margin. It's especially apparent with his league-low 51 double plays. The Mets are willing to put up with his defense this season for the offensive advantage, but they may have been better off keeping Wilmer Flores at the position.

The Pirates have a major defensive advantage with their speedy outfielders swallowing up fly balls. Marte had a league-best 2.0 WAR in left field last season, adding 15 assists and winning his first Gold Glove.

Davis provides plus power, but his defense leaves something to be desired. While he's shown average range in left field, Davis had only one assist last season and committed five errors. He's Oakland's problem now after getting traded from Milwaukee in the offseason. Of course, Hanley Ramirez escapes this title as the worst left fielder with his move to first base this season.

Kiermaier not only makes frequent highlight plays, but he has the best range in baseball by far. He finished first in range factor among center fielders by a wide margin last season and added an incredible 15 assists for his first Gold Glove.

This is a difficult title to earn because center fielders are usually moved to an outfield corner as their range diminishes. That's the case with Angel Pagan, who escapes the title of worst center fielder after being shifted to left field this season. Eaton gets the honor now with a -1.1 WAR last season after five errors and a mediocre range factor.

With Jason Heyward shirting to center field after signing with the Cubs, Polanco wins the prize by default. While the young right fielder had eight errors last season, he also had 13 assists and showed great range in right field.

Kemp finally shifted to an outfield corner full time last season after his well-documented defensive decline. He had a league-worst -2.4 WAR with eight errors and extremely poor range in 2015. That's a problem at roomy PETCO Park.

As an extreme ground-ball pitcher, Keuchel has to be on his toes while fielding. He's done that well with two Gold Gloves in a row and a league-best 53 assists last season. His ability to hold runners also shouldn't be overlooked, allowing only five steals last season.

Lester developed the yips throwing to first base last season, and base stealers ate him up as a result. He allowed a league-high 44 steals and also only had 17 defensive assists. It's a shame what's happened to Lester, and hopefully he can correct the issues this season.

Utilityman work is an art Ramirez is just beginning to master. He was unseated as Cleveland's shortstop with Francisco Lindor's promotion but saw significant time at second base and third base. He also found himself in left field twice and could see more time in the outfield this season with Cleveland struggling for depth. He's generally graded out well at all positions.

Well, Hanley is hardly a utilityman in the purest sense of the word, but the Red Sox can't find a position for him. The former shortstop was atrocious with the move to left field last season after grading out incredibly poorly for several years at short. The move to first base this season is more of a Hail Mary.