I thought I would stay away from the "all-decade" shenanigans, but I got suckered in after all. Around here, end of year rankings, reviews, and reflections rule, so why not compose a list that embodies it all? And why not put together a list around my beloved Yankees? Especially in a decade in which they DID NOT win the World Series. Gasp!
With all of that said, please see below not only my list of the Yankees All-Decade Team (because everyone can filter by position), but also by importance and contribution throughout the decade.
10. Gary Sanchez (Catcher) - Behind the dish was a carousel following the departure of Jorge Posada until Sanchez finally put the position in a headlock. From 2015-2019, Sanchez has slashed a line of .246/.328/.518 for 105 HR and 262 RBIs. One of the game's current best offensive catchers, Sanchez is one of the cornerstones of the Yankees newest foundation.
9. Alex Rodriguez (Third Base) - Ahhhhhh, good ol' A-Rod. Playing from 2010-2013, and 2015-2016, A-Rod was solid offering a .258/.342/.457 line with 113 HR, and 380 RBIs. The decade was filled with the usual drama of lawsuits against the organization and suspensions. You know, A-Rod stuff. But he was ours.
PS - Shout out to Chase Headley who chipped in four solid years at the hot corner as well.
8. Robinson Cano (Second Base) - They didn't want to pay the dude following 2013, and today, that decision seemed like the right one. Nonetheless, when he wore the pinstripes, Cano was the premiere second basemen with a line of .312/3.373/.533 for 117HRs and 428 RBIs from 2010-2013. Not to mention, one of the sweetest swings you will ever see.
7. Curtis Granderson (Centerfield) - Often forgotten, but the Grandy man was an AWESOME Yankee. The class act gave us .245/.335/.495 for 115 HR and 307 RBI from 2010-2013.
6. Aaron Judge (Right Field) - The big fella moves to the #6 spot based solely on his star power and what he meant to the transition-rebuild of the organization. Since 2016, Judge has hammered .273/.394/.558 with 110 HRs and 246 RBIs.
5. Didi Gregorius (Shortstop) - It's so sad to see Didi leave. Player aside, Didi is just an awesome person. With that said, the dude took over for Jeter this decade, and performed so well that "Derek Jeter" is not in the slot of something, "Yankee Shortstop". .269/.313/.446 for 97 HRs and 360 RBIs ain't bad. Not to mention the tremendous defense he also brought to the table.
4. Dellin Betances (Relief Pitcher) - Big Dellin. Love the dude. Sadly, it looks like his run in pinstripes is just about over. Regardless, Big D ruled in the pen from 2011-2019 with a 2.36 ERA over 381.2 IP and 621 SO.
3. Brett Gardner (Left Field) - Gardy is still ticking, and oddly enough has become a Yankee-lifer. Who would've thought? Despite his severely underrated outfield defense, Gardner has given the Yankees the full decade, 2010-2019, of .260/.344/.405 for 121 HRs and 485 RBIs. Remember when so many scoffed when Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, said he was better than Carl Crawford?
2. Mark Teixiera (First Base) - TEX! So underrated in Yankees lore. The outstanding defensive first baseman gave the Yankees .239/.335/.461 for 167 HRs and 500 RBIs.
1. CC Sabathia (Starting Pitcher) - And of course, finally, the big ace. Sabathia continued to throw and battle for the squad until his arm literally fell off. I'm going to miss the dude, tremendously. Within this decade, from 2010-2019, Sabathia gave the Yankees 1918.0 IP and 1700 SO within those years, to a tune of a 3.81 ERA. Just utterly fantastic.
I'm just going to go on record now and pencil Gerrit Cole in for the next decade team of 2020-2029. Just saying...