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Boston's recent DER history:
2005 - .682 (11th)
2006 - .679 (9th)
2007 - .704 (1st)
2008 - .698 (4th)
2009 - .678 (13th)
In 2006, Boston had a MI of Loretta and Alex Gonzalez.  A-Gon had the REP as a stellar fielder.  They had Crisp in CF.  That's the up-the-middle defense.
In 2007, the ENTIRE MI changed:  Pedroia and Lugo took over.  CF - Crisp was in his 2nd season.  And J.D. Drew was actually healthy in replacing Trot Nixon.
Manny - as weak a fielder - had been in Boston a Loooong time.  While a defensive goof, he actually understood the Monster - so - compared to visiting LFs, he likely wasn't as horrid as generally perceived.
Honestly - Boston is one of those teams that (IMO) demonstrates the value of EFFORT and STABILITY as a variable that may often overwhelm physical gifts.  I think the incoming MI was more ENGAGED in 2007.  I think Crisp benefitted from an extra year in the weirdness that is Boston's OF.  I think the club also benefitted in Beckett's 2nd season.  I think a lack of cohesion between pitchers and fielders complicated things in 2006, and they fixed much of this in 2007.
By 2009, Nick Green got the most innings at short - but injuries seriously messed up any defensive consistency. 
But, the truth is, you can follow many teams that had MASSIVE turn-arounds in DER (just like Seattle), where there were only a couple of personnel changes.  Seattle reduced run allowance by 120 runs from '08 to '09?  As good as Gutz is - HE didn't save all those runs by himself.  But, the pitching specific stats indicate that the pitching really didn't improve significantly.  (20 runs?)
 HOW did a new CF / LF improve defense by 100 runs?  *I* believe it is related to the concept that the club must DEMAND defensive dilligence - and if you do not provide it - the club MUST get rid of you.  Note that I say "dilligence" - not "competence".  The key here is that you must play at the maximum point based on YOUR ability - whatever that may be.  Because, if ONE GUY is allowed to relax -- (because he's hitting .950) -- then you send the message that defense is NOT really important - and you can see an entire club relax.  (This is why I've always been reluctant to the concept of adding Adam Dunn.  It's the - "Everyone needs to be on time to meetings ... except Bob" principle.  It doesn't foster a good working environment.)