Five forgotten Yankees of the 2010s

Like any team, the New York Yankees had many players come and go during the 2010s. Many had tenures that lasted less than one season.

The Yankees failed to win a World Series during the decade. They did not even make it to a World Series, losing in the LCS four separate times.

Even during the seasons where the Yankees had a decent team on the field, they were not considered to be a team that was destined to win it all. So Brian Cashman signed veterans to fill out offensive and defensive holes. Some worked out, but many didn’t.

These are five former players whom many have forgotten were Yankees at one time during the 2010s.

5. Lance Berkman

After spending 11 seasons with the Houston Astros, the Yankees acquired first baseman Lance Berkman on July 31, 2010, in exchange for Jimmy Paredes and Mark Melancon after Mark Teixeira went down with a hamstring injury.

Berkman was a five-time All-Star and had a remarkable run in Houston. The Yankees were looking to make a push for the playoffs and ultimately made a trade for the 34-year old veteran, who was playing for a struggling Astros franchise.

Berkman only appeared in 42 total games for the Yankees, making this among the worst trades in franchise history, which may be why it is hard to remember him as a former Yankee. His most notable contribution came in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Twins, where he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

The Yankees declined to pick up Berkman’s option for the 2011 season, where he signed with St. Louis and had an extraordinary comeback season.

4. Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis’ signing may have been one of Cashman’s strangest signings in years past. It had nothing to do with his skill, as he was still able to be a productive hitter. His salary of $12 million for the 2013 season was a bit pricy, but a one-year pact is never a bad deal.

Youkilis had spent many years in Boston, where he was a part of baseball’s biggest rivalry. Several Yankees, including Joba Chamberlain, had a history with Youkilis but they made peace and began their new journey together as teammates.

As it turned out, Youkilis only saw the field for 28 games as he underwent season-ending surgery in June. It was easily the worst season of his career and a sign at how quickly his abilities were regressing.

The short tenure for Youkilis ended up being his last year in the Majors before playing one season in Japan.

3. Lyle Overbay

The 2013 season was filled with many odd Yankees and Lyle Overbay was one of them. Initially signed by the Red Sox during the off-season, he was released and signed by the Yankees just before Opening Day.

Overbay became an almost-everyday player for the Yankees, as Teixeira went down with a season-ending injury in June. In 142 games, Overbay hit .240 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs.

He saw most of his playing time come against right-handed pitchers. Towards the end of the season, when the Yankees acquired Mark Reynolds, Overbay would play only if the opposing starting pitcher was a right-hander.

He was also able to provide a solid glove at first base, which the Yankees would desperately need. Overbay was able to hold his ground and provide that valuable defense.

Overbay’s tenure in the Bronx was short, but he ended up a solid signing for the Yankees, considering he was initially on a minor league contract.

1. Andruw Jones

Out of all the players on this list, Andruw Jones spent the most time with the Yankees as a member of both the 2011 and 2012 teams.

Jones spent the majority of his career in Atlanta, where he broke into the league during the 1996 season as a 19-year old center fielder. He spent a season with the Dodgers, Rangers, and White Sox before joining the Yankees on a $2 million contract for the 2011 season.

Jones had a decent 2011 season, hitting .247 with 13 home runs and 33 RBIs in 77 games. He also spent time playing left and right field, only committing one error the entire season.

The 2012 season was not so kind to Jones. He hit for a .197 average in 94 games and lost a step in the field. The final two months of the season were an absolute low for Jones, as he hit only .139.

Jones went on to play in Japan for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, where he was able to recreate some success at the plate. He attempted major league comebacks for the 2015 and 2016 seasons but retired before the 2016 season.

Pull up the roster from any year in the 2010s and you’ll easily find a few names that make a fan say “hey, I remember him”. Who were some of your favorites?