Open Thread: Neyer’s top 100 players of the decade

With only 17 full days left in the decade, there’s all sorts of  “the best of the decade” lists coming out. The best movies, the best albums, all sorts of stuff. So naturally, Rob Neyer put together a list of the 100 best baseball players of the decade, and as you can imagine, the Yankees are well-represented. Let’s round it up:

• Alex Rodriguez ranked as the second best player in the decade, behind only Albert Pujols.
• Derek Jeter wasn’t far behind him, coming in at number four. Barry Bonds was between the two.
• Jorge Posada comes in at number 15, sandwiched between Vlad Guerrero and Bobby Abreu. He was the top ranked catcher on the list.
• The Almighty Mariano Rivera checks in at number 24, the highest ranked reliever.
• CC Sabathia was right behind him at number 25, and Johnny Damon not far off at number 32.
• Mark Teixeira was named the 43rd best player of the decade despite not making his debut until 2003.
• Good ol’ Andy Pettitte comes in right at the halfway mark, number 50.
• Former Yanks: Abreu (16), Randy Johnson (18), Jason Giambi (19), Javy Vazquez (29), Gary Sheffield (34), Mike Mussina (35), Pudge Rodriguez (41), Roger Clemens (42).

That’s seven players on the Yanks 40-man roster that rank among the 50 best players of the last ten years. Including former players, 17 members of the decade’s 50 best players have worn pinstripes in that time. Dayum. Without doing the math, I’m going to guess no other team approaches that number.

Anyway, here’s your open thread for the night. The MNF game features the Cardinals in San Francisco, plus the Rangers and Isles are in action in separate games. There’s been a ton of hot stove action throughout the day, so talk about it here. Just make sure you follow the guidelines and be cool.