:::FHFS::: - Where the Real Fans Come to Play...

MEET THE CANDIDATES...
Debate should pick up with annual Cy Young Award

AL Cy Young Contenders
Green = Lock for 1st-Place Votes/ Yellow = Vote Siphoners/ Blue =Longshots
Critical Ranks drawn from word of mouth & general gossip
Prediction Rankings are basic nominations, not selections of the winner. They reflect this writers
opinions of a player's general merit, and his award chances. Grades and Reviews reflect opinion.

In baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best pitchers in the Major Leagues. The award was first introduced in 1956 by Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young who passed away in 1955. The award was originally given to the single best pitcher in the major leagues. In 1967, the year after Frick retired as Commissioner, the practice began of honoring one pitcher in each league.

Though the Cy Young Award was introduced to shed some light on the accomplishments of pitchers during the season, as they are often overlooked in MVP voting, interestingly eight pitchers have been named the Most Valuable Player and have won the Cy Young in the same season: Don Newcombe (1956), Sandy Koufax (1963), Bob Gibson (1968), Denny McLain (1968), Vida Blue (1971), Rollie Fingers (1981), Roger Clemens (1986), and Dennis Eckersley (1992).

The Cy Young Award has become a hotly debated topic between baseball traditionalists and baseball "stat-heads". The stat-heads argue that the Cy Young Award is essentially given to the pitcher with the most wins, rather than for the statistics that a pitcher is entirely responsible for, such as ERA, WHIP, and K/BB ratio. The traditionalists, on the other hand, point out that the win is a valid way to determine a pitcher's effectiveness in leading a team. Thus, the Cy Young Award is not entirely one-sided, as in many occasions the pitcher leading the league in wins is not the honored individual, but the most dominant player on a playoff caliber team. Let the debate begin...

Freddy Garcia
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Gil Meche
Toronto Blue Jays

Barry Zito
Seattle Mariners

Bruce Chen
Texas Rangers

AL Leiter
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

key stats:
win-loss rec. : .20-5 (2nd in AL)
era: 2.72 (1st in AL)
whip: 1.01 (1st in AL)
innings : 244.2 (5th in AL)
k/bb ratio : 260/70 (1st in AL)
quality starts: 25 (1st in AL)
complete games : 7 (1st in AL)
shutouts : 3 (1st in AL)
opp. avg. v. : .196 (1st in AL)

awards:
Selected to AL All-Star Team

key stats:
win-loss rec. : .21-4 (1st in AL)
era: 3.59 (4th in AL)
whip: 1.15 (3rd in AL)
innings : 215.2
k/bb ratio : 167/52
quality starts: 23 (3rd in AL)
complete games : 1
shutouts : 1
opp. avg. v. : .237 (7th in AL)

awards:
OOTP American League Pitcher of the Month (July)

key stats:
win-loss rec. : .16-11 (9th in AL)
era: 4.05 (8th in AL)
whip: 1.28 (8th in AL)
innings : 237.2 (7th in AL)
k/bb ratio : 230/102 (2nd in AL)
quality starts: 21 (7th in AL)
complete games : 1
shutouts : 1
opp. avg. v. : .228 (4th in AL)

awards:
OOTP American League Pitcher of the Month (September)

key stats:
win-loss rec. : .18-7 (5th in AL)
era: 3.22 (3rd in AL)
whip: 1.10 (2nd in AL)
innings : 221
k/bb ratio : 168/70
quality starts: 22 (5th in AL)
complete games : 1
shutouts : 1
opp. avg. v. : .216 (2nd in AL)

awards:
None

key stats:
win-loss rec. : .19-5 (3rd in AL)
era: 2.97 (2nd in AL)
whip: 1.22 (5th in AL)
innings : 218
k/bb ratio : 181/91 (8th in AL)
quality starts: 21 (7th in AL)
complete games : 6
shutouts : 1
opp. avg. v. : .220 (3rd in AL)

awards:
Selected to AL All-Star Team
OOTP American League Pitcher of the Month (May)

+
Freddy should take this prize with ease. Best performance of already dominating career. Has been favored by the voters before.
-
Anything said is nit-picky, but there is a 'been there done that' problem for both pitcher AND team. Though very unlikely,. I could see him being snubbed on some ballots.

♥
'06 Projection: Right back here at the head of the class among Cy Young finalists.

+
Overdue for recognition. Excellent work -the quiet conscience of the Toronto rotation.
-
He's not a glamorous character or a guy voters learned much about over the course of the season. Usually a minus w/ some voters.

♥
'06 Projection: Some fall-off is likely, but I could see him starting Game 1 of the World Series. That's right, the Blue Jays will be in the big show next season.

+
Charismatic and immensely popular. When it mattered most, Zito was at his best. Momentum can make all the difference with voters and his just-miss in previous years could help.
-
Internal competition and better in previous seasons. His dominance was late to arrive and he hasn't gained much traction. Voters like their Cy Young winners a bit more, hmm, shall we say consistent. And they will probably hate a few of his key stats.

♥
'06 Projection: The face of a very young and vastly improving squad, Zito will push his team into the ALCS.

+
Revelatory as the ace of the resurgent Rangers. He really honed his cut fastball and spiked his strikeout rate considerably. He's got momentum (career-wise) plus FHFS's new diversity record on his side. His team's drop-off is not being pinned on him.
-
Lacks a passionate base of fans and you need #1 placements on ballots.

♥
'06 Projection: The trends indicate another leap among the elite. Could see him winning the award in '06.

+
Voters love a career best. Comeback Player of the Year frontrunner. Strong work, critical raves and voters are sometimes kind with those "thank you" style career kudos.
-
Overshadowed by Garcia and his name is seldom mentioned in connection with actually winning one of these awards - which is a shame because many found him to be the emotional core of the rotation.

♥
'06 Projection: Cloudy. He is a free agent and the wires didn't report any news of an extension with the Rays. Likely will be pitching elsewhere as an overpaid 40-something 5th starter.

The Challengers & The Rest of the Field

Other Potential (though unlikely) Vote Siphoners
Pitchers that may get votes --just not enough

06 Javier Vazquez Seattle Mariners
May-- rightfully -- steal some votes from Mr. Zito. It was really hard to elevate one over the other, but Zito's finish resonates better .
07 Jason Schmidt Toronto Blue Jays
An serious injury early on and an August hick up are the only things that kept last year's NL winner from make a run at a repeat.
08 Mike Mussina Detroit Tigers
March & April were hideous, but boy did he find it after that. His team's record doesn't help much either.
09 Jose Valverde Toronto Blue Jays
Wickman had more saves, but Valverde was the best closer in the league in '05. Well-deserving of votes.
10 Bob Wickman Seattle Mariners
He was up and down all season and lacked that consistency voters love. Regardless, he was quite effective and led the league in saves.

2006 'Fresh' Ballot
These guy will challenge this year's finalists..(I'm sure I will miss some names...)

1 Tim Hudson/Carl Pavano/Brett Myers Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Cheap out? Ya, I know...but hey, in any given year any pitcher in the Tampa rotation can win this thing.
2 Kris Benson/Vincente Padilla Oakland Athletics
The AL West has suddenly become very competitive, and if the A's are going to get back into it one, or both, of this stalwarts will have to have Cy Young seasons.
3 Josh Beckett Texas Rangers
Gut feeling that he and Chen push Seattle all season long, and if he doesn't break, we'll be hearing about it.
4 Joe Blanton New York Yankees
Overlooking potential callups and other '06 prospects, Blanton should be the breakout pitcher in the AL next year. If the Yanks score like last season, he'll win 20+.

NL Cy Young Contenders Green = Lock for 1st-Place Votes/ Yellow = Vote Siphoners/ Blue =Longshots Critical Ranks drawn from word of mouth & general gossip Prediction Rankings are basic nominations, not selections of the winner. They reflect this writers opinions of a player's general merit, and his award chances. Grades and Reviews reflect opinion.

1	2	3	4	5
*Rick Ankiel* San Diego Padres	*Mark Prior* Pittsburgh Pirates	Johan Santana St. Louis Cardinals	*Odalis Perez* San Diego Padres	Curt Schilling Los Angeles Dodgers
key stats: win-loss rec. : .22-4 (1st in NL) era: 2.55 (1st in NL) whip: 1.01 (3rd in NL) innings : 257.2 (2nd in NL) k/bb ratio : 317/117 (1st in NL) quality starts: 29 (2nd in NL) complete games : 2 shutouts : 1 opp. avg. v. : .161 (1st in NL) awards: Selected to NL All-Star Team OOTP National League Player of the Week (September 29)	key stats: win-loss rec. : .21-5 (2nd in NL) era: 2.84 (2nd in NL) whip: 1.00 (2nd in NL) innings : 218.2 k/bb ratio : 242/55 (3rd in NL) quality starts: 24 (3rd in NL) complete games : 3 (6th in NL) shutouts : 0 opp. avg. v. : .203 (2nd in NL) awards: Selected to NL All-Star Team OOTP National League Pitcher of the Month (April) *OOTP American League Pitcher of the Month (May)	key stats: win-loss rec. : .14-13 era: 3.05 (3rd in NL) whip: 1.10 (4th in NL) innings : 268.2 (1st in AL) k/bb ratio : 272/96 (2nd in NL) quality starts: 31 (1st in NL) complete games : 2 shutouts : 2 (1st in NL) opp. avg. v. : .203 (2nd in NL) awards: None	key stats: win-loss rec. : 18-8 (4th in NL) era: 3.27 (4th in NL) whip: 0.98 (1st in NL) innings : 247.2 (3rd in NL) k/bb ratio : 221/54 (6th in NL) quality starts: 22 (5th in NL) complete games : 2 shutouts : 0 opp. avg. v. : .207(4th in NL) awards: Selected to NL All-Star Team	key stats: win-loss rec. : .16-9 (5th in NL) era: 3.48 (8th in NL) whip: 1.14 (5th in NL) innings : 227.2 (10th in NL) k/bb ratio : 158/69 quality starts: 21 (8th in NL) complete games : 7 (1st in NL) shutouts : 2 (1st in NL) opp. avg. v. : .222 (6th in NL) awards: None
+ Unstoppable momentum. Much like others, Ankiel is the major critical favorite. Landmark performance (voters like triple-crown pitchers). Emotional. Serious. Stronger than expected in NL debut. - None. Done deal. ♥ '06 Projection: With a huge raise in pay comes a huge raise in expectations as well. Will be expected to take the team where it was suppose to go last month, to the World Series.	+ Powerful performance. Early on, it seemed like Prior's year. The man in question is an FHFS fav. His GM is a former winner. His team is a yearly formidable Award presence. A certain future Cy Young Winner. - Losing early kudos to Ankiel. And all that pedigree described above? The luster if slightly off after the teams implosion. Though, if anyone survives his his team's sell -off... it's Prior. ♥ '06 Projection: I really want to say he will 100% win the award next year, but that all depends on what the team looks like next season. On paper right now, it doesn't look all that pretty.	+ He's on fire. Awards season has brought him deserved attention. Voters like it when stars live up to their potentials -- and paychecks for that matter. - Getting less traction than expected. No help emerged from team's record. The team has been greeted with negativity and in truth, they weren't' very good. ♥ '06 Projection: Looks like it is one and done in St. Louis -- which, ultimately isn't a bad thing. If a contender can come up with the cash to meet the demand, he'll be a winner next year.	+ Important. Truly a key to the Padres success lat year. Breakout stepping up his career performance. GM brings classy pedigree. - Hit and miss in the discussion. Unlike Ankiel, he's missing a noisy fan base.Definitely has acclaim but his performance is very much in the background. Padres are focused on Ankiel. ♥ '06 Projection: Likely understudy to the star again. Will take a HUGE season to win this, but I doubt he cares. Wants the title and its well in reach.	+ Voters love a good comeback story. They also love good guys. He's both. - Does his campaign even exist? What's up with that? ♥ '06 Projection: Another of the finalist free agents. My hope is a contender adds him and he gets the ring that's been eluding him his entire career.
The Challengers & The Rest of the Field
Other Potential (though unlikely) Vote Siphoners Pitchers that may get votes --just not enough 06 Lou Pote Arizona Diamondbacks Went back and forth with him and Schilling for the #5 spot. Other voters are likely to do the same, though Pote's contribution to a WS winner Will give him an edge. 07 Kerry Wood Chicago Cubs Walks were a serious problem, but there were more flashes of brilliance than madness. See you in the top 5 next year Kerry. 08 Mark Buehrle San Franscio Giants Can't get an respect, but he really is a machine. Incredibly poised and consistent. Just what a Cy Young is suppose to be. 09 Luke Prokopec Cincinnati Reds Missing the final 2 and 1/2 months torpedoed his promising campaign. Regardless, his effect was seen as Cinci made the playoffs for the 1st time in FHFS history. 10 *Doug Davis* Atlanta Braves Stealthily slipped under the radar. Peripheral numbers are tremendous and we was the ace of an improved squad. 2006 'Fresh' Ballot These guy will challenge this year's finalists..(I'm sure I will miss some names...) 1 Pedro Martinez Milwaukee Brewers No one changes the dynamic every fifth day as much as Pedro does. Needs the team to improve, but even with 15 wins he could do it with the other numbers. 2 Roy Oswalt Arizona Diamondbacks Between you and me, Oswalt was my 2005 pre-season selection. Something tells me I was just a year early on that prediction. 3 Daniel Cabrera Washington Nationals Should be the 'It' pitcher in all of baseball next year. He is poised for one of those generational breakouts (see Doc Gooden, et al.). 4 Sean Douglass Colorado Rockies Eek Gasp! A Rockie pitcher?!? A 19-game loser?!?! That's right. The '03 Cy Young Winner may be in pitcher's siberia, but he will survive it.