ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A lot was made of the comments made by Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon to WEEI.com’s Alex Speier regarding Adrian Beltre‘s defense.

When describing the third baseman, Maddon told Speier, “[Beltre is] clearly the best [third baseman] I’ve ever seen in person. I think [Evan Longoria] is good, I used to think Scott Brosius was really good. … [Eric] Chavez was good, but Beltre was stupid good. I think Beltre is the best who I’ve ever seen with my two eyes — defender, not just third baseman, but defense.”

Now, with Beltre leading all major league third basemen in errors after making his 14th of the season, Wednesday night, Maddon offered his analysis of the 31-year-old.

“A little bit. I don’t think he’s as sure yet,” Maddon said of Beltre. “He’s gotten more sure at the plate and less sure on defense, that’s the best way I can describe it. At the plate right now he’s a monster. The last couple of years he’s been a monster on defense and uncertain at the plate. I think he’s kind of reversed roles a bit.”

Asked what exactly the difference in Beltre’s defensive game might be, Maddon said: “From a distance, he’s not as free on defense as he has been.”

Beltre, who has made 14 errors in each of his last two seasons, made his latest miscue in the first inning of the Red Sox’ 6-4 loss to the Rays, mishandling a Longoria grounder. It was Beltre’s first error in the last 10 games, marking the second-longest stretch without a fielding faux pas, falling short of the 22-gamer he had from May 9-June 2.

As Maddon noted, the third baseman is having one of his best offensive seasons of his career, currently hitting .334 with 12 homers. Beltre notched one hit in four at-bats Wednesday night, making him 2-for-12 for the three-game series.

“Normally it happens with catchers. A catcher will get more offensive oriented and it messes up their defense,” Maddon said. “Still, this guy is very, very good. Just the best way I can describe it as he’s looked as confident on offense this year as he has looked on defense the last couple of years.”