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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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 26: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers prepares to bat in the second inning while playing the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on September 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 26: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers prepares to bat in the second inning while playing the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on September 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

First base: Miguel Cabrera

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera limped into the end of the decade as injuries began to mount and steal away his power, but there was no more fearsome slugger at the position for over half the decade. Cabrera won two American League MVP awards, a Triple Crown, four batting titles and led the major leagues in RBI twice. He was also a formidable presence in the postseason, as the Tigers reached October every year from 2011 to 2014.

All told, Cabrera hit .317/.399/.544 with 1,595 hits, 324 doubles, 268 home runs and 941 RBI, good for per-162 averages of 39 doubles, 32 home runs and 112 RBI — and that includes the past three years where he has hit just .270/.345/.404 with 31 home runs and 141 RBI in 304 games. For his peak, Cabrera hit .330/.414/.582 with nearly as many walks as strikeouts. He also tacked on a .285/.391/.540 line with nine home runs and 26 RBI in 38 playoff games.

Cabrera has already locked up a spot in the Hall of Fame by virtue of his 2,800 hits, 477 home runs and 1,700 RBI the first 17 years of his career. He should remain upright enough to end his career with over 600 doubles, 500 home runs and has an outside shot at 2,000 RBI if he can manage to play out the final four years of his contract.

There were also a handful of worthy contenders to take Cabrera’s spot in Joey Votto and Paul Goldschmidt, both of whom have not seen their numbers tail off as significantly toward the end of the decade. Neither, however, could match Cabrera’s peak. Postseason success has also eluded both, and that’s why the Tigers first baseman is the pick.

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