2012 National League Cy Young Award Debate

Hello everyone,

Today I am going to examine the 2012 National League Cy Young Award candidates, and determine who should win this award. The race for the NL Cy Young Award, like the NL MVP, is a close one. So, let's look at the candidates.

1. R. A. Dickey, New York Mets

To say that R. A. Dickey is having a career year, that would be the understatement of the baseball season. He has bested every pitching statistic from every previous season by a landslide. That stated, Dickey is a serious candidate for this award.

PROS: He leads the NL with 2.67 ERA, 5 complete games, three shut outs, and 212 innings pitched. He is also 18-5 with 205 strike outs with a 1.04 WHIP. He has been a stabilizing force behind a young, and improving Met's pitching staff.

CONS: While he has been extremely durable all season, this is typically the case for all knuckle-ball pitchers. He is also pitching for a terrible team that are going nowhere, so his games are in a stress-free environment.

While I think that Dickey has a shot to win this, I believe that he is a long shot due his success being on a lousy team.


2. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals

The trade that sent Gio Gonzalez from the Oakland Athletics to the Washington Nationals has to be considered the trade of the year in Major League Baseball. The Nationals received a legitimate ace for four young players (which has also worked very well for the A's).

PROS: Gio Gonzalez is leading the NL with a 19-8 record while pitching for the best team in the league. He also has a 2.95 ERA with 195 strikeouts and 1.14 WHIP which puts him in the top ten in each of those categories.

CONS: While Gonzalez is having a stellar season, he isn't even considered the best pitcher on his own team. By most accounts, Stephen Strasburg was having a better season before being shut down due to strain from his come back from Tommy John surgery.

While I consider Gonzalez to be another long shot, I believe that he has a shot at winning this award especially if he ends up with over twenty wins.

3. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Simply put, Craig Kimbrel's 2012 season has been the most dominant season that any closer has ever had.

PROS: Kimbrel has the highest strikeout rate in major league history with 105 in 57 1/3 innings (16.5/9), the .128 average against is the lowest since 1900, his WHIP of 0.68 is the lowest since 1900, he has stuck out 49.5% of all batters face which is the lowest in the live ball era, and his 105 strikeouts compared to 25 hits is the greatest strikeouts-to-hits ratio of all-time. He also is tied for the league lead with 38 saves.

CONS: He is a relief pitcher. The last relief pitcher to win was when Eric Gagne juiced his way to the award in 2003. Essentially, relief pitchers do not normally win this award.

Despite the rarity of relievers winning the award, I would argue that Kimbrel is the best choice in 2012, and should receive plenty of support.

4. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds

If there was a vote for first half the NL Cy Young award, Chapman would have been a serious front-runner. He was dominant!

PROS: Other than Craig Kimbrel, Chapman has been the most dominant pitcher in the National League. He has struck out 119 batters in just 67 2/3 innings while limiting hitters ti a .143 batting average. He also has a 1.60 ERA with 35 saves. What's interesting is that he wasn't even going to be the Red's closer this season!

CONS: See Craig Kimbrel.

In my humble opinion, I can see two relief pitchers finishing one and two in the final ballot. Unfortunately, Chapman is competing against Craig Kimbrel who is having an epic season.

5. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw may be the dark horse candidate for this award.

PROS: Despite some injury issues, Kershaw has had an incredible 2012 season. While only possessing a record of 12-9, he leads the National League with 206 strike outs, and a 1.016 WHIP. While not as dominant as last season, he is arguably the most dominant starting pitcher in 2012.

CONS: He has suffered from poor run support all season, and may end up missing the rest of the year due to a serious hip injury. For baseball purists, his twelve wins is rather low for a Cy Young caliber pitcher.

Also due some consideration: Kyle Lohse, St. Louis Cardinals; Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds; Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants.

Results:

Here is how I see the votes playing out.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
2. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
3. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
4. R. A. Dickey, New York Mets
5. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Who do you think will/should win?

Thanks for reading!
Marty Sabin