Oakland Athletics: All-Decade Team for the 2010s

Bullpen

Grant Balfour

There are few things that define the early 2010’s version of the Oakland A’s like “Balfour Rage.”

Grant Balfour was a character, to say the least. He frequently found himself getting into scrums with batters who didn’t exactly like his antics of yelling into his own glove to pump himself up while he was closing games out.

But it was sure fun to watch.

And it was effective too, apparently. Across three seasons, Balfour put together a 5.9 WAR and got an all-star nod.

He was a fixture in late-game situations and always managed to get the crowd excited upon heading to the mound.

Blake Treinen

It was the tale of two Treinens.

It’s easy to think back to last season when everything seemed to fall apart. Blake Treinen completely lost command of his sinker, leaving him vulnerable to balls thrown down the heart of the plate.

But Blake Treinen had a historically dominant 2018 that frankly doesn’t get enough credit. To put it in perspective, despite having a terrible year last year, Treinen’s cumulative WAR was just 0.6 points lower than Balfour’s.

Treinen’s 2018 was so good that it landed him 6th in Cy Young Award voting. He even finished in the top 15 of MVP voting.

He’s the only pitcher on this list to receive an MVP vote.

Despite being swooped up after a non-tender gamble by the A’s, we can only hope to see Treinen return to form soon.

Sean Doolittle

In order to acquire Blake Treinen, the Oakland A’s had to deal fan favorite Sean Doolittle.

It’s probably worth mentioning that the A’s also received Sheldon Neuse and Jesus Luzardo as part of the trade.

One of the most likable pitchers on this list, Sean Doolittle pitched across six seasons for the Oakland A’s in the 2010’s. His roles shifted as the team’s needs did.

No matter his role — ‘LOOGY,’ setup man, or closer — Sean Doolittle brought a devastating sequence of pitches that were bolstered by a hard heater.

And, of course, fans flocked toward headbanging to Doolittle’s entrance to “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and mimicking his signature pitching setup from the stands.

Above all else, however, Doolittle had an unhidden appreciation for the City of Oakland and the fans. His activism and engagement with the community should be commended no matter where he ends up playing.

Honorable Mentions: Ryan Cook, Yusmeiro Petit