Boston Red Sox: The Definitive 2010s All-Decade Team

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The Boston Red Sox continued their run of success during the 2010s on the backs of these great players. Here’s the All-Decade team for the BoSox.

Unlike their division rival New York Yankees, the 2010s will be remembered as the decade in which the success found in the 2000s continued for the Boston Red Sox. In this decade, the team won two more World Series titles in 2013 and 2018.

2018, by the way, was the franchise’s best season ever.

What’s more, the 2010s ushered in a new breed of Red Sox players who have made the team division winners for three straight seasons (2016-2018). Players you’ll see in the following slides, like Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, and Jackie Bradley Jr.

The 2010s will also feature the last season for arguably the most beloved Red Sox figure in franchise history…

David Ortiz, DH

10x All-Star
7x Silver Slugger
3x World Series
2004 ALCS MVP
2013 WS MVP

Affectionately referred to as “Big Papi,” David Ortiz became one of Boston’s more revered figures when after the Boston Bombing in 2013, he unified the city by pouring his heart out in Fenway Park in a passionate speech. Later that year, he carried the Red Sox to their third World Series title inside of a decade.

At the end of the day, Ortiz might be recognized as one of the greatest DH’s of all time. There will always, however, hang a cloud over his head regarding a leaked failed PED test in 2009.

In all, Papi was good for baseball and the city of Boston. His charisma made him one of the most beloved figures in the game. As an analyst for FOX, he remains adored to this day.

All-Decade Boston Red Sox Infield

Catcher

Christian Vazquez (Catcher) has played for the Red Sox in some capacity since 2014. He broke out as a steady everyday catcher during the 2019 MLB season. That year, “Mini Yadi” played in 138 games, mashing 23 home runs with 72 RBI, all career-highs for the veteran catcher.

First Base

The Red Sox struggled to find an everyday first baseman during the 2010s, making this one of the toughest positions to the field. As such, the only possible solution I could come up with is Adrian Gonzalez (First Base). In 282 games with Boston, “El Titan” managed to slash .321 |.382 |.513. His .895 OPS with the team is the best he’d produce with any team in his entire career.

Second Base

Second Base was a no-brainer. Up until 2017 when injuries started to plague this player, you’d be hard-pressed to find a player easily defined as the heart and soul of the team. I’m talking about none other than Dustin Pedroia (Second Base).

During the 2010s, in 1031 games, “Petey” hit .296 |.363 | .432. He also won three Gold Glove awards and was selected in two All-Star games. When it’s all said and done, Pedroia is a surefire Hall of Famer.

Shortstop

Xander Bogaerts (Shortstop) definitely gets the nod for the toughest infield position in the game, especially after posting his best MLB season in 2019 when he placed fifth in the AL MVP voting. This season, “X” hit .309 |.384 | .555. What’s more, he managed to hit 33 HR and 117 RBI, both career highs.

Third Base

Kevin Youkilis (Third Base) is perhaps one of the most underrated players ever to put on a Red Sox uniform. A sabermetrician’s dream come true, “Youk” was often referred to as the “Greek God of walks because of his willingness to take a base. As such, his OBP while with the Red Sox was .388.

Though Rafael Devers might very well turn out to be a better third baseman than Youkilis, during the 2010s “Youk” was just better.

(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

All-Decade Boston Red Sox Outfield

Right Field

Call me crazy, but I consider Mookie Betts (Right Field) to be Mike Trout adjacent, and at this trajectory, while Trout is already in consideration for the Greatest of All Time, Mookie is one of the best to ever do it.

Having made his Red Sox debut in 2014, since then Betts has an AL MVP award, three Silver Slugger awards, four Gold Glove awards, a Batting Title, World Series ring, and was named Player of the Year. What more could you ask for from a player?

Left Field

This one might be a little disturbing, but when you take a close look Jacoby Ellsbury (Left Field) legitimately deserves a spot in the All-Decade Red Sox team. Before taking his talents to the Bronx in 2014, Ellsbury hit .297 |.351 |.458 slugging between 2010-2013 for the Sox.

In 2011, he was selected to be an All-Star, won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award, and placed second in the AL MVP voting. What’s more, after signing with the New York Yankees in 2014, he became a completely diminished player. So much so that the team doesn’t want to pay him for the remainder of his deal.

Center Field

Finally, there’s Jackie Bradley Jr. (Center Field) who doesn’t necessarily spark much confidence with his bat but could very easily be the best defensive outfielder in the game. He will forever be remembered for his performance in the 2018 ALCS when he helped his team to defeat the Houston Astros, going on to win the World Series.

All-Decade Boston Red Sox Starters

Before struggling to find his dominance in 2019, Chris Sale was in the conversation for best pitcher in the game. In three seasons with Boston, from 2017-209, Sale has started in 84 games, tossing 519.2 innings with a 3.08 ERA, .2.57 FIP, and 0.970. In that span, he also punched out 763 batters, tied for fourth-most in MLB.

Jon Lester broke the heart of Red Sox fans when he opted to sign a free-agent deal with the Chicago Cubs. In doing so, however, Lester continued to cement his legacy as an ace starter by leading the Cubbies to their first World Series title in over a century. In all, Lester will always be remembered as a Red Sox pitcher

Rick Porcello has been something of an enigma for the Boston Red Sox. After securing an AL Cy Young award in 2016 having won 22 games while pitching to a 3.15 ERA, he really hasn’t been the same. In fact, from 2017-2019, Porcello has only won 20 more games while pitching to a ballooned 4.79 ERA.

Still and all, he earns a spot on the All-Decade team because of his consistency. The Red Sox can rely on Porcello to take the ball every fifth day without fail. That’s worth something in this modern form of the game.

Clay Buchholz was at one point a surefire MLB ace. For the most part, during the 2010s he was just that – minus a season or two. He pitched for the Red Sox between 2010-2016, posting a 69-47 record with a 3.78 ERA. Injuries, however, have diminished the pitcher some and as a result, he has been relegated to a fourth or fifth starter on three different teams over the last three seasons.

Finally, there’s Eduardo Rodriguez who emerged with the team in 2014 and has since posted a 51-31 record with a 4.01 ERA. E-Rod has steadily improved his performance with each season. To the point where 2019 was by far his best statistical MLB year after posting a 19-6 record with a 3.81 ERA.

All-Decade Boston Red Sox Relief Pitchers

Set-Up Man

More from Call to the Pen

For a time Koji Uehara (Set-Up Man) was one of the dominant relievers in the game. He pitched five seasons with Boston, the first three (2013-2015) of which were absolutely stellar. In that time span, Uehara appeared in 180 games, tossing 179 innings with a 1.86 ERA and striking out 228 batters. He is precisely the type of bullpen arm the team is missing today.

Closer

Prior to the 2019 MLB season, Craig Kimbrel (Closer) was on pace to become the greatest closer of all time. A depressed market followed by an atrocious performance, however, might indicate that Kimbrel’s best days are behind him.

The 2010s were mostly great for “Dirty Craig.” In all, he played three seasons for the Boston Red Sox. In that span, from 2016-2018, Kimbrel featured a 2.44 ERA and 305 SO over 184.1 innings.

Next. Tetsuto Yamada - the prospect worth waiting for. dark

His 108 saves in that period were third-most in MLB behind Edwin Diaz (109 SV) and Kenley Jansen (126 SV).

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