Red Sox vs the AL East: first basemen

Sep 4, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) rounds the bases on his game tying home run during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

5. Mark Teixeira, Yankees

I must admit, it’s a bit strange to be ranking Teixeira last on this list. Just a few years ago, he was clubbing baseballs over the short porch in Yankee Stadium’s right field and crushing the dreams of Red Sox fans. However, the days of Teixeira’s dominance are gone and his 8 year/$180M contract is now looking like a bust, with the Yankees saddled with two more seasons of Teixeira. Coming off a season in which he slashed only .216/.313/.398 with 22 home runs in 123 games with the Yankees, Teixeira is clearly well into his decline and doesn’t appear to be rebounding anytime soon. He still has impressive power and continues to walk at an impressive rate but his strikeouts have spiked in the past two seasons and he no longer is hitting enough to reach base at a respectable level.