Oakland Athletics: All-Decade Team for the 2010s

Outfield

Yoenis Cespedes

When news struck that the Oakland Athletics went out and signed Yoenis Cespedes from Cuba, fans were surprised by the A’s uncharacteristically large investment in a player with no proven track record in the MLB.

But the gamble paid off.

Cespedes was an immediate impact player from the moment he suited up with the A’s. His freakish physique allowed him to have all kinds of power along with incredible speed and overall strength.

Cespedes finished second in Rookie of the Year voting after his inaugural campaign. He’d follow up with a top 10 finish in MVP voting and an All-Star appearance.

Cespedes will best be remembered for his incredible — and unorthodox — throws in from left field.

In 2014, the A’s were locked with the Angels in a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 8th. With Howie Kendrick taking off from first base, Mike Trout ripped a ball toward the left field corner, which Cespedes was able to cut off.

Unfortunately, the ball tipped off his glove and rolled into the corner. Seeing this, Kendrick put his head down and rounded third. But when he got to home plate, Derek Norris was waiting there with the ball in his mitt.

Cespedes threw Kendrick out. From the left field corner. On the fly.

It was one of the most incredible plays of the decade, and it perfectly summarized what made Cespedes so fun to watch.

Coco Crisp

The face of the Bernie Lean movement at Oakland A’s games rests on the gyrating shoulders of Coco Crisp.

Crisp spent seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics — all in the 2010’s — and accumulated a 13.2 WAR. While his overall numbers were consistent, he did swipe 49 bags in 2011, leading the league in that category.

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But his contributions to the team went beyond what he brought statistically. He was the quintessential leader in the clubhouse, especially during an improbably 2012 and 2013 runs into the playoffs.

In the latter of those two seasons, he finished top-15 in MVP voting.

Crisp was exactly the leadoff hitter that the Oakland A’s had been looking for after so many years. His combination of speed and patience at the plate allowed the hitters behind him to be put in the best position possible.

Crisp was ultimately dealt to the Cleveland Indians in the hopes that he’d be able to finish out his career on a team poised to make a run at the World Series.

The mutual respect between Oakland and Coco Crisp is undeniable, and so is his inclusion on this list.

Josh Reddick

Josh Reddick was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in 2011, and the A’s had high hopes that he’d develop into a quality right fielder.

After five seasons in Oakland, Reddick met that goal, posting a 16.2 WAR, finishing in the top 20 of MVP voting for a season, and earning a Gold Glove Award.

Nicknamed “Spiderman”, Reddick was known for his ability to scale the wall to rob homers — a mixture of excellent timing and fearlessness in climbing up the fencing.

Reddick was a consistently good player that offered consistent defense and a powerful left-handed bat to be slipped into the lineup. His intensity and grit seemed to lift several teammates while he was on the team, as well.

Reddick was a key contributor to the Oakland Athletics team that stole the AL West Crown from the Texas Rangers on the last day of the 2012 season. He hit .242 with 32 home runs and 85 RBI in his age 25 season with the Oakland A’s.

Despite signing the divisional rival Houston Astros, Reddick’s time in Oakland should be remembered fondly.