Fansided

Picking an All-Decade MLB team for the 2010s

By Joshua Sadlock

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Closer: Craig Kimbrel

There are three standout options to close for this All-Decade Team — Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel. At a time when All-Star closers like Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Mark Melancon have seen their dominance come and go in the blink of an eye, Chapman, Jansen and Kimbrel have experienced only minor bumps in the road. Chapman might have a great case, but will be left off due to his off-field transgressions.

The first five seasons of Kimbrel’s MLB career can rival any of the all-time great relievers in league history. The right-hander appeared in 294 games for the Atlanta Braves with a 1.43 ERA, 186 saves and 14.8 strikeouts per nine. Kimbrel hasn’t quite lived up to the high standards he set for himself over the last five seasons, but he was an All-Star in seven of ten years in the decade.

Kimbrel was left twisting in the breeze last winter as a free agent, unable to find a five-year deal to match those signed by Chapman and Jansen. He was forced to accept a guaranteed three-year deal with a team option with the Chicago Cubs. After missing half the season waiting to sign, Kimbrel struggled in his initial season with the Cubs.

Given a stable offseason, full Spring Training and health, Kimbrel should bounce back from his disastrous 2019 season. He allowed nine home runs in only 20.2 innings and had a 6.53 ERA but still struck out 30. The 31-year-old’s track record was so good for the first nine years of his career that he cannot be written off after one down year.

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