The 2010s: New York Yankees All-Decade Team

When the Yankees received their 2009 World Series rings -- prior to the first pitch of the 2010 home opener -- the future of the franchise was as bright as can be.

It was April 13, 2010. The crowd at Yankee Stadium erupted over and over as each member of the 2009 championship roster was announced. Hideki Matsui, the reigning World Series MVP and member of the visiting Los Angeles Angels, was mobbed by his teammates after he was given his ring and a rousing ovation to culminate the ceremony.

It was New York's 27th title, ending an eight-year drought extending back to 2000 -- a cold spell that, for Yankee fans, felt like an eternity. The championship-winning roster remained intact in 2010 -- all major pieces returned, poised to defend their title. Skipper Joe Girardi even changed his uniform number to 28 that offseason -- a sign of what was to come for this talented ball club.

Fast forward now to the final days of 2019. Ten seasons have come and gone and the New York Yankees, despite lofty expectations and aspirations, have failed to return to the Fall Classic. Rather than a return to the dominance of the final decade of the last century, the 2010s turned out to be the first decade since the 1910s that the Bronx Bombers did not appear in a World Series.

A disappointing circumstance for the most storied franchise in baseball history and yet most fanbases would have embraced the last ten years with open arms. 

New York won 921 games in the 2010s, with 84-plus victories each season. They made the postseason all but two times, losing in the American League Championship Series on four different occasions.

Individually, the Yankees churned out outstanding performances. A Yankee appeared in the All-Star Game 45 times -- there were league leaders, MVP and CY Young Award vote-getters and future Hall of Famers  that wore pinstripes in the 2010s.

So, before we look ahead at the next decade in the Bronx, take a moment to review the Yankees' best from the 2010s. 

New York Yankees All-Decade Team

Before we get to who made the cut, here's a brief description of the criteria and rubric of this list. Instead of just picking the best at each position, we at Yankee Maven went a step further -- the following features the best season at each respective position over the last ten seasons (a starting lineup alongside a pitching staff of five starters, a closer and four relievers).

In other words, it's the 2010-2019 All-Yankees First Team.

As you scroll, you'll find an in-depth breakdown at each position, highlighting the toughest selections and noteworthy statistical outputs from each spot on the field. All data from here on out is drawn from Baseball Reference, with a dash of Statcast as well. 

One more quick note: in order to be eligible, the representative from each year at each respective position had to have led the team in games played at that specific position. No matter how good that certain player was, if they didn't lead the team in games played at that position, you won't find them on this list. 

So, let's get to it! Introducing the Yankees 2010s All-Decade Team:

Name	Position	Year
Gary Sanchez	C	2017
Mark Teixeira	1B	2010
Robinson Cano	2B	2012
Derek Jeter	SS	2012
Alex Rodriguez	3B	2010
Brett Gardner	LF	2010
Curtis Granderson	CF	2011
Aaron Judge	RF	2017
Giancarlo Stanton	DH	2018

Over half this lineup came from the first three years of the decade, while the years 2013-2016 earned no such representation. Now, what about the pitching staff?

Name	Position	Year
CC Sabathia	SP	2011
CC Sabathia	SP	2010
Luis Severino	SP	2017
Masahiro Tanaka	SP	2016
Luis Severino	SP	2018
Mariano Rivera	C	2011
Dellin Betances	RP	2015
David Robertson	RP	2011
Dellin Betances	RP	2014
Chad Green	RP	2017

CC Sabathia was unquestionably the starter of the decade for the Yanks, with two incredible seasons to start the decade as the ace of New York's staff. In the bullpen, unanimous Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera had the best season as a closer, while Dellin Betances dominated the mid-2010s in relief.

Now that you've seen who made this exclusive first team, let's break it down -- starting with who was behind the dish...

Catcher

Team leaders in games played at catcher:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at C	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019 *	Gary Sanchez	106	90	3.1	.232	.316	.525	34	77
2018	Gary Sanchez	89	76	1.1	.186	.291	.406	18	53
2017 *	Gary Sanchez	122	104	4.1	.278	.345	.531	33	90
2016	Brian McCann	130	92	.9	.242	.335	.413	20	58
2015	Brian McCann	135	126	2.6	.232	.320	.437	26	94
2014	Brian McCann	140	108	1.8	.232	.286	.406	23	75
2013	Chris Stewart	109	108	0.0	.211	.293	.272	4	25
2012	Russell Martin	133	128	1.8	.211	.311	.403	21	53
2011 *	Russell Martin	125	125	2.4	.237	.324	.408	18	65
2010	Francisco Cervelli	93	90	.9	.271	.359	.335	0	38

NOTE: Bolded name is the representative on the All-Decade Team at his respective position. Numbers in bold indicate single-season highs of the 2010s. An asterisk next to the year indicates an All-Star Game appearance.

Just one season after finishing second in the American League Rookie of the Year Award race in 2016, Sanchez had the Yankees' best single season at catcher of the decade.

In 2017, Sanchez was 20th in baseball with an average exit velocity of 91.2 mph (19 spots behind one of his teammates who you'll be hearing about shortly...). His strong performance that year wasn't just with his bat -- Sanchez's average pop time (1.93) and arm strength on "max effort throws" (87.8 mph) were both top three among all big-league catchers. 

Sanchez's health is constantly a topic of conversation -- as the Yankees prepare to use backup Kyle Higashioka in an expanded role in 2020 -- but looking back at the durability of former Yankee catchers Russell Martin and Brian McCann puts it into perspective. Combining two seasons of Martin and three with McCann behind the plate, New York had an average of 116 games played by their starting catchers. In three seasons with Sanchez as the everyday backstop, he's averaged just 90 games (and Sanchez, 27, is younger than both Martin and McCann were when they were churning out 100-plus games played).

Backstop Gary Sanchez alongside fellow member of the 2010s Yankees All-Decade Team, David Robertson

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Also, you're probably thinking: where's Jorge Posada? Posada was the first member of the Core Fore to retire (in 2011) and was outplayed at catcher by Francisco Cervelli by just seven games in 2010 -- therefore he wasn't eligible as a catcher (even if he played almost 30 more games overall and had a better WAR). You'll see him at designated hitter in a bit.

Interestingly enough, Austin Romine played the most games at catcher among Yankee backstops in the 2010s. Romine, who agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers during the Winter Meetings, played in 333 games at catcher from 2011-2019 -- McCann was close behind with 326 total games. Sanchez played in 306 and led all catchers with a total of 11.4 WAR. 

First Base

Team leaders in games played at first base:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at 1B	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Luke Voit	118	83	1.9	.263	.378	.464	21	62
2018	Greg Bird	82	74	-0.6	.199	.286	.386	11	38
2017	Chris Carter	62	56	-0.7	.201	.284	.370	8	26
2016	Mark Teixeira	116	110	-0.6	.204	.292	.362	15	44
2015 *	Mark Teixeira	111	108	3.7	.255	.357	.548	31	79
2014	Mark Teixeira	123	117	1.0	.216	.313	.398	22	62
2013	Lyle Overbay	142	130	0.3	.240	.295	.393	14	59
2012	Mark Teixeira	123	119	3.8	.251	.332	.475	24	84
2011	Mark Teixeira	156	147	3.4	.248	.341	.494	39	111
2010	Mark Teixeira	158	149	4.1	.256	.365	.481	33	108

It wasn't a matter of who, it was which Mark Teixeira season at first base would make the All-Decade Team. It ended up being a tough decision, but a Gold Glove Award and AL-best 113 runs scored in 2010 tipped the scales.

Teixeira's durability was a constant throughout the 2010s -- that is, except for a lost season in 2013 in which Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds played more games at first base than Tex. Teixeira led all Yankees first basemen with a total of 15.2 WAR in the decade over 764 games played.

It's worth noting, despite several wonderful seasons in the 2010s, Teixeira's best year as a Bronx Bomber was in 2009. The switch-hitter finished second in AL MVP Award votes, won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, while crushing 39 home runs and driving in 122 runs. Besides a slight resurgence in 2015, when he made his third and final All-Star Game appearance, it was a steady decline for Teixeira from 2009 on.

As for the future, chances of Greg Bird being the franchise first baseman have since flown away as he was designated for assignment in November. Luke Voit had the best season by someone not named Mark Teixeira in the 2010s, slashing .263/.378/.464. We'll see if he can keep up the good work with a new jersey number in 2020, after he switched to No. 59 -- freeing up No. 45 for Gerrit Cole.

Second Base

Team leaders in games played at second base:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at 2B	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019 *	DJ LeMahieu	145	75	6.0	.327	.375	.518	26	102
2018 *	Gleyber Torres	123	109	2.9	.271	.340	.480	24	77
2017 *	Starlin Castro	112	109	2.0	.300	.338	.454	16	63
2016	Starlin Castro	151	150	1.3	.270	.300	.433	21	70
2015	Stephen Drew	131	123	0.3	.201	.271	.381	17	44
2014	Brian Roberts	91	91	1.4	.237	.300	.360	5	21
2013 *	Robinson Cano	160	153	7.8	.314	.383	.516	27	107
2012 *	Robinson Cano	161	154	8.4	.313	.379	.550	33	94
2011 *	Robinson Cano	159	157	5.8	.302	349	.533	28	118
2010 *	Robinson Cano	160	158	8.1	.319	.381	.534	29	109

Seven All-Star Games and five top-ten MVP Award seasons -- second base may very well be the Yankees best position from this decade. 

Robinson Cano was terrific from 2010-2013, but his performance in 2012 was a step above the rest. Cano set career highs in practically every offensive statistic -- 82 extra base hits and an OPS of .929 in 2012 remain the best of his 15-year career. His 8.4 WAR, tops in his time in the big leagues, was the best single-season WAR for a New York Yankee in the 2010s.

Cano played a grand total of 612 games at second over those four seasons, accumulating 30.1 wins above replacement. Gleyber Torres, in 174 games at the position, has a 6.8 WAR.

Moving on from Cano's tenure in the Bronx, it took only three years to return to a plus-two WAR season. Starlin Castro had his best year in 2017 before a 21-year-old Torres was given the keys to the ignition in 2018 (when he finished third in the AL ROY race). If it wasn't for the sneaky signing of DJ LeMahieu, who was unstoppable at three positions in 2019, Torres would be the second baseman of the future in pinstripes. 

Judging by their collective production these last two seasons, watching Torres and LeMahieu play up the middle for the next few years should be a treat.

Shortstop

Team leaders in games played at shortstop:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at SS	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Didi Gregorius	82	80	0.6	.238	.276	.441	16	61
2018	Didi Gregorius	134	132	4.2	.268	.335	.494	27	86
2017	Didi Gregorius	136	135	3.7	.287	.318	.478	25	87
2016	Didi Gregorius	153	153	2.2	.276	.304	.447	20	70
2015	Didi Gregorius	155	155	3.1	.265	.318	.370	9	56
2014 *	Derek Jeter	145	130	0.2	.256	.304	.313	4	50
2013	Eduardo Nunez	90	75	1.5	.260	.307	372	3	28
2012 *	Derek Jeter	159	135	2.2	.316	.362	.429	15	58
2011 *	Derek Jeter	131	122	1.4	.297	.355	.388	6	61
2010 *	Derek Jeter	157	151	1.7	.270	.340	.370	10	67

Choosing between Didi Gregorius (2018) and Derek Jeter (2012) was the toughest decision to make of all positions for this exercise. While Didi had more thump, Jeter was more durable. Although Gregorius had the best single-season WAR of any Yankee shortstop that year, we gave the edge to The Captain, as he led the Majors in hits (216) while posting a .316 batting average.

Looking back, passing the baton from Jeter to Gregorius over this decade truthfully couldn't have gone smoother -- and the stats shown above are proof. Gregorius filled shoes that were impossible to fill, all the while winning over the Yankee faithful with his performance between the lines and presence off the field. 

For the generations of Yankee fans that witnessed Jeter's 20 years in pinstripes, it's odd to comprehend, but Gregorius played more games than Jeter in the 2010s. Gregorius, in 655 games, had a 13.9 WAR while Jeter, in 551 contests, had a 4.8 WAR -- along with four All-Star appearances. 

Derek Jeter alongside several former teammates during his monument park plaque ceremony

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Now, with Gregorius signing with the Phillies on a one-year deal this offseason, could the 2020s belong exclusively to Torres at shortstop? 

Third Base

Team leaders in games played at third base: 

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at 3B	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Gio Urshela	132	123	3.4	.314	.355	.534	21	74
2018	Miguel Andujar	149	136	2.2	.297	.328	.527	27	92
2017	Chase Headley	147	86	1.8	.273	.352	.406	12	61
2016	Chase Headley	140	140	2.6	.253	.331	.385	14	51
2015	Chase Headley	156	155	0.9	.259	.324	.369	11	62
2014	Yangervis Solarte	75	66	1.0	.254	.337	.381	6	31
2013	Jayson Nix	87	41	0.8	.236	.308	.311	3	24
2012	Alex Rodriguez	122	81	2.2	.272	.353	.430	18	57
2011 *	Alex Rodriguez	99	89	4.0	.276	.362	.461	16	62
2010 *	Alex Rodriguez	137	124	4.2	.270	.341	.506	30	125

Can you believe Chase Headley played the most games at third base this decade? 

Headley was the perfect stop gap to get New York from Alex Rodriguez to the eventual debut of Miguel Andujar. Then, along came Gio Urshela, who filled in at the hot corner due to injuries. His performance in 2019 drew legitimate consideration for the best season of the decade by a third baseman.

Urshela's .314 batting average was tops among all third baseman by almost 20 points -- his expected batting average (xBA: accumulating the expected outcomes of each batted ball with actual strikeouts, walks and hit by pitches, according to Statcast) was .294, tied for 21st in the big leagues. 

Alex Rodriguez, however, gets the nod for his 2010 campaign, in which the slugger mashed 30 homers and made his 13th All-Star Game. 

As for wins above replacement totals, Rodriguez (12.4) blew Headley (7.4) away in fewer games played at the position. Assuming Andujar can return healthy in 2020, and replicate his 2018 performance (when he came in second in the AL ROY race) while Urshela continues to produce, New York has a surplus of talented third baseman for the next several years. 

Left Field

Team leaders in games played in left field:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at LF	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Mike Tauchman	87	59	3.6	.277	.361	.504	13	47
2018	Brett Gardner	140	107	2.8	.236	.322	.368	12	45
2017	Brett Gardner	151	122	4.9	.264	.350	.428	21	63
2016	Brett Gardner	148	147	3.4	.261	.351	.362	7	41
2015 *	Brett Gardner	151	119	3.2	.259	.343	.399	16	66
2014	Brett Gardner	148	126	3.9	.256	.327	.422	17	58
2013	Vernon Wells	130	73	-0.2	.233	.282	.349	11	50
2012	Raul Ibanez	130	80	0.5	.240	.308	.453	19	62
2011	Brett Gardner	159	149	4.1	.259	.345	.369	7	36
2010	Brett Gardner	150	123	7.4	.277	.383	.379	5	47

Let's all take a moment to recognize the consistency and durability of Brett Gardner -- the longest-tenured member of the Yankees.

2010 was his best year of the decade, and the best among all left fielders, as he set a career high in WAR (7.4) to go along with 47 stolen bases (two short of his career mark in 2011, which led the American League). The 12-year veteran had a strong slash line of .277/.383/.379 in the decade's first season.

Speaking of slash lines, Mike Tauchman gave Gardy a run for his money in 2019. Tauchman tied his teammate's 2010 batting average while setting an all-decade-high slugging percentage (.505) among left fielders. In 2019, Tauchman played just 59 games in left, while Cameron Maybin and Gardner each contributed close to 50 games in left field as well. With Aaron Hicks out for the majority of 2020 recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Maybin on the free-agent market, it's safe to say Tauchman will be seeing significant playing time there again this coming season.

Or, could Clint Frazier finally get more innings? Could Giancarlo Stanton see playing time in the field rather than strictly at bats? Only time will tell.

Center Field

Team leaders in games played in center field:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played in CF	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Brett Gardner	141	98	4.0	.251	.325	.503	28	74
2018	Aaron Hicks	137	131	4.7	.248	.366	.467	27	79
2017	Jacoby Ellsbury	112	97	1.7	.264	.348	.402	7	39
2016	Jacoby Ellsbury	148	148	2.8	.263	.330	.374	9	56
2015	Jacoby Ellsbury	111	110	1.8	.257	.318	.345	7	33
2014	Jacoby Ellsbury	149	141	3.6	.271	.328	.419	16	70
2013	Brett Gardner	145	138	4.3	.273	.344	.416	8	52
2012 *	Curtis Granderson	160	157	3.3	.232	.319	.492	43	106
2011 *	Curtis Granderson	156	155	6.1	.262	.364	.552	41	119
2010	Curtis Granderson	136	134	4.4	.247	.324	.468	24	67

The Grandy Man Can!

2011 isn't just the best single-season performance by a Yankee center fielder of the decade, but it's arguably Curtis Granderson's best season of his 16-year career.

Granderson finished fourth in the race for AL MVP, leading the league in RBI (119) and all of baseball in runs scored (136 -- a career high). His 41 homers in 2011 were the third-most by any Bronx Bomber in the 2010s -- he then proceeded to hit 43 long balls in 2012, the second-highest home run total of the decade.

That being said, and brace yourself Yankee fans, it was Jacoby Ellsbury who led the team in games played in center field. His 496 games played from 2014-2017 was 25 more than Granderson and 74 higher than Gardner.

The Ellsbury Era has already come to a close, as he was released by the club in November, but imagine if he wasn't hurt these last two years. Could he have contended with Granderson's production in 2011? That was certainly the intention when he signed his seven-year, $153 million contract...

Yankees fans also witnessed the potential of Aaron Hicks. Again, he'll be sidelined for the vast majority of 2020 as he rehabs from elbow surgery, but his performance in 2018 (featuring the most games played he's had thus far with New York) featured the second-best WAR by a center fielder in the 2010s. Certainly something to build upon over the next few years as Gardner's career begins to wrap up.

Brett Gardner, a constant through the entire 2010s, alongside the dynamic duo of Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the 2017 ALCS

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Right Field

Team leaders in games played in right field:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played in RF	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Aaron Judge	102	92	5.4	.272	.381	.540	27	55
2018 *	Aaron Judge	112	90	5.5	.278	.392	.528	27	67
2017 *	Aaron Judge	155	141	8.1	.284	.422	.627	52	114
2016	Aaron Hicks	123	86	-0.3	.217	.281	.336	11	33
2015	Carlos Beltran	133	123	0.8	.276	.337	.471	19	67
2014	Ichiro Suzuki	143	119	0.9	.284	.324	.340	1	22
2013	Ichiro Suzuki	150	123	1.7	.262	.297	.342	7	35
2012	Nick Swisher	148	109	4.0	.272	.364	.473	24	93
2011	Nick Swisher	150	141	2.2	.260	.374	.449	23	85
2010 *	Nick Swisher	150	134	3.8	.288	.359	.511	29	89

By now you already knew Aaron Judge had an incredible, historic rookie season in 2017, but this chart should give you a better idea of just how memorable it was. 

Judge came five batting-average percentage points away from a clean sweep of every category on this criteria. And yes, he won the AL Rookie of the Year while finishing second in the AL MVP race. Mix that in with the (at the time) record for homers as a rookie (52), an American League best in runs and walks (128 and 127 respectively) and it's the easy choice for best season by a right fielder of the decade.

According to Statcast, Judge was the best in all of baseball in 2017 with 87 barrels (a clip of 12.8 percent barrels per plate appearance) and an average exit velocity of 94.9 mph. He was also the best in the game in average exit velocity the following two seasons as well (94.7 in 2018 and 95.9 in 2019).

Judge's 8.1 WAR is tied for the second-best wins above replacement tally of the 2010s. Since then, Judge has yet to play over 100 games. Imagine what he's capable of if he can stay healthy and play a full season...

As the case has been at nearly every position, right field was a story of transition. Moving on from Nick Swisher, who led the Yanks in games played in right with 384, it took some vets to bridge the gap to Judge. Two All-Star Game appearances, 18.6 total WAR and a close call in the 2019 playoffs, Judge is poised to do some serious damage in the 2020s.

Designated Hitter

Team leaders in games played as designated hitter:

Year	Name	Total Games Played	Games Played at DH	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
2019	Luke Voit	118	34	1.9	.263	.378	.464	21	62
2018	Giancarlo Stanton	158	86	4.0	.266	.343	.509	38	100
2017	Matt Holliday	105	90	0.0	.231	.316	.432	19	64
2016	Alex Rodriguez	65	57	-1.2	.200	.247	.351	9	31
2015	Alex Rodriguez	151	136	2.9	.250	.356	.486	33	86
2014	Carlos Beltran	109	76	-0.1	.233	.301	.402	15	49
2013	Travis Hafner	82	72	-0.1	.202	.301	.378	12	37
2012	Alex Rodriguez	122	38	2.2	.272	.353	.403	18	57
2011	Jorge Posada	115	90	-0.4	.235	.315	.398	14	44
2010	Marcus Thames	82	41	0.5	.288	.350	.491	12	33

Over the past ten seasons, there were only three with full-time designated hitters. That's why this list is more eclectic than any other in this entire breakdown. A-Rod in 2015, one year before his retirement, played 136 games at DH -- almost 40 more games than any other individual spent in a single season at the position. 

In 2010, seven players spent a double-digit amount of games at designated hitter -- Marcus Thames led the way with 41 while Lance Berkman, Nick Johnson and Juan Miranda accounted for close to 70 contests. 

Moving forward, it's a safe bet to assume Giancarlo Stanton will be used typically as a designated hitter -- by keeping him off the field, except when he's hitting, he'll be out of harms way and ideally avoiding injury.

In 2018, Stanton showed off why the Yankees took on his contract when they traded for him in 2017. He sent 38 balls into the bleachers, while driving in 100 runs. He'll be a threat to dominate this list in the 2020s.

Starting Pitchers

Rather than listing the best starter from each season, here's a look at the starting rotation of the decade -- with some honorable mentions (those not in bold):

Year	Name	Record	Games Started	ERA	Innings Pitched	Strikeouts	WHIP	WAR
2011 *	CC Sabathia	19-8	33	3.00	237.1	230	1.226	6.4
2010 *	CC Sabathia	21-7	34	3.18	237.2	197	1.191	4.8
2017 *	Luis Severino	14-6	31	2.98	193.1	230	1.040	5.3
2016	Masahiro Tanaka	14-4	31	3.07	199.2	165	1.077	5.2
2018 *	Luis Severino	19-8	32	3.39	191.1	220	1.145	4.8
2012	Hiroki Kuroda	16-11	33	3.32	219.2	167	1.165	5.3
2019	James Paxton	15-6	29	3.82	150.2	186	1.281	2.2
2014 *	Masahiro Tanaka	13-5	20	2.77	136.1	141	1.056	3.1

No hurler won a Cy Young in pinstripes this decade, but several names on this list came pretty close with exceptional individual seasons on the mound.

CC Sabathia in 2010 -- the ace of this All-Decade rotation -- had a performance worthy of a third-place finish in the CY Young Award race, leading all of baseball with 21 victories. The following year -- in the second best season of the decade by a starting pitcher -- the southpaw finished fourth in CY Young Award votes while posting the highest single-season WAR total for a Yankee starting pitcher in the 2010s (6.4). Luis Severino also finished third on a CY Young Award ballot, for his breakout season in 2017 -- his sub-three ERA was impressive as he approached 200 innings pitched, paired with an imposing 10.7 strikeout-per-nine rate.

Masahiro Tanaka also received CY Young Award votes -- in 2016, he ended up seventh after posting the decade's third-highest single-season wins above replacement total (5.2).

Sabathia, unsurprisingly, led the way with 1688.1 innings pitched from 2010-2019 -- Tanaka was second, barely eclipsing the 1,000 inning mark, while Ivan Nova (729), Hiroki Kuroda (620) and Phil Hughes (558) round out the top-five starters based upon innings pitched. Andy Pettitte and Michael Pineda also pitched a substantial amount (509 IP and 389.2 IP respectively) in a Yankee uniform this decade.

Looking back on the 2010s, the expensive contracts that were necessary to reel in CC and Tanaka were evidently worth the price of admission. The same thought process went into signing Cole this winter, in what appears to be a perfect match thus far. How many seasons will the Yanks' newest ace have in the 2020s worthy of the next installment of the All-Decade Team?

Relievers

Rather than listing the best relief pitcher from each season, here's a look at the best season by a closer, along with the top-four relief performances of the decade -- with some honorable mentions (those not in bold):

Year	Name	Record	Saves	Games	Innings Pitched	ERA	Strikeouts	K/9	WHIP	WAR
2011 *	Mariano Rivera	1-2	44	64	61.1	1.91	60	8.9	.897	2.9
2013 *	Mariano Rivera	6-2	44	64	64	2.11	54	7.6	1.047	2.4
2012	Rafael Soriano	2-1	42	69	67.2	2.26	69	9.2	1.167	2.6
2018 *	Aroldis Chapman	3-0	32	55	51.1	2.45	93	16.5	1.052	1.7
2015 *	Dellin Betances	6-4	9	74	84	1.50	131	14	1.012	4.0
2011 *	David Robertson	4-0	1	70	66.2	1.08	100	13.5	1.125	3.7
2014 *	Dellin Betances	5-0	1	70	90	1.40	135	13.5	.778	3.6
2017	Chad Green	5-0	0	40	69	1.83	103	13.4	.739	2.7
2016 *	Andrew Miller (dealt to CLE at Trade Deadline)	6-1	9	44	45.1	1.39	77	15.3	.772	2.3
2018	Dellin Betances	4-6	4	66	66.2	2.70	115	15.5	1.050	1.7

If there was one position in the 2010s that provided consistent dominance, it's relief pitching. 

Mariano Rivera started off the decade -- besides Rafael Soriano's 2012 season filling in due to Rivera's knee injury -- with multiple 44 save seasons (credit to Soriano for closing out 42 games in the future Hall of Famer's absence).

Next, David Robertson had a chance to take over the closer role, after 66.2 near-unhittable innings of relief in 2011 -- Robertson saved 39 games in 2014, before signing with the White Sox in the offseason. 

From 2014-2018, Dellin Betances was arguably the best reliever in all of baseball -- not only did he appear in four consecutive All-Star Games, but the New York City native is the first reliever in baseball history to have 100 or more strikeouts in five consecutive seasons (2014–2018). His 4.0 WAR in 2015, the best non-closer single season by a reliever on our list, was the best wins above replacement total of the decade for a bullpen arm.

That being said, in part because Robertson returned to the Yankees for the bulk of 2017-2018, it was Robertson that finished the decade with the highest WAR in the 'pen (12.5 -- Betances wrapped up his time in pinstripes with an 11.6 WAR from 2011-2019).

Dellin Betances and Arodis Chapman -- arguably the most dominant pair of bullpen arms of the decade

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Aroldis Chapman has been tremendous at the tail end of New York's bullpen over the last two years and after opting in on his contract, he's poised to carry that success into the earl 2020s. According to Statcast, his sinker was the fastest pitch (100.9 mph average velocity) in baseball in 2018, and the second-fastest pitch in the game this past season (100.1).

Some of the strikeout-per-nine numbers are particularly spectacular -- each season, at least one reliever had a K/9 in the double digits and in most cases, there was more than one. 

Here's a few other names that didn't make the list but pitched substantial innings over the decade: Boone Logan (256 G), Adam Warren (246 G), Chasen Shreve (180 G), Joba Chamberlain (167 G), and Shawn Kelley (116 G).

New York Yankees All-Decade Team

Phew, that was a lot of information ... did you make it this far?

The Yankees entered the 2010s knowing transition was imminent. From the Core Four -- alongside Teixeira, Cano and Rodriguez -- New York needed a few years to pave the way  to where this team is today. Roaring into the 2020s with the likes of Judge, Sanchez, Torres, Severino (and of course, Cole) -- who are all younger than 30 -- the Yankee faithful can expect quite a few more stellar individual performances in the next decade.

The priority, however, will be to bring a title back to the Bronx. Do you think they have the roster to end the decade-long drought?

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