Around the Empire: Yankees news - 12/27/19

MLB | Bryan Hoch: Although the 2010s didn’t include a championship for the Yankees, it was one of the homer-happiest decades in franchise history. Over the years, the team hit several memorable home runs, so here’s a fun trip down memory lane from player milestones to clutch postseason heroics. My pick for the best homer of the decade? In terms of pure joy, it might just be Raul Ibanez’s homer spree in the 2012 playoffs.

SNY | Scott Thompson: It seems way too early to look at the possible Opening Day roster, but it’s something that fans and media alike can’t stop speculating about in the dog days of the offseason. Surprisingly, most of the Yankees’ roster is probably set right now. The real intrigue will come in the final bench spot, as well as how the club splits up its corner infield and outfield spots among several qualified players.

New York Daily News | Bradford William Davis: Yankees fans don’t need any more reminders of how difficult the decade has been at times. There have been several tough losses to end seasons, but when it comes to ranking the best teams not to win a championship this decade, the 2017 Yankees have to be there. The Yankees rallied their way through the playoffs as a sort of underdog, but finally lost after taking the eventual World Series champion Astros to seven games. There are some great other teams on this list, which serves as a reminder of just how difficult it is to win baseball’s ultimate prize. Here’s to hoping for a return of the Roaring ‘20s for the Yankees in the 2020s.