The San Francisco Giants' fans were dealt a bitter blow on Monday, just when they were still reeling from a World Series that had it all—thrills, drama, and heartbreak. The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the finalists for the prestigious Cy Young Award, and Logan Webb, the Giants' ace, was nowhere to be found. But here's the twist: the player who took his place is a name that stirs emotions—Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Webb's omission is a surprise to many, especially considering his impressive stats. He ranked third in fWAR (5.5) and led the National League in innings pitched and total strikeouts. But the advanced metrics tell a nuanced story. While Webb's FIP (2.60) was impressive, his ERA (3.22) might have been his undoing, ranking him eighth in the league. And this is the part most people miss—the Cy Young Award voters tend to favor ERA over FIP, a controversial approach that often sparks debate among baseball enthusiasts.
In a cruel twist, Yamamoto, fresh off a World Series MVP performance, takes Webb's place. Yamamoto's ERA (2.49) was superior, but his FIP (2.94) was not as dominant. This begs the question: should traditional stats like ERA hold more weight than advanced metrics in such decisions? It's a debate that divides opinions and highlights the ongoing evolution of baseball analysis.
As for the rest of the awards, the Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Most Valuable Player finalists were also announced. The American League Cy Young Award nominees include Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet, and Hunter Brown. The MVP race in the National League features a star-studded lineup with Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, and Juan Soto, while the AL showcases Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, and José Ramírez. The Rookie of the Year category introduces young talents like Drake Baldwin, Caleb Durbin, and Cade Horton in the NL, and Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, and Roman Anthony in the AL. The Manager of the Year award will see a battle between Pat Murphy, Rob Thompson, and Terry Francona in the NL, and Stephen Vogt, Dan Wilson, and John Schneider in the AL.
So, was Webb robbed of his Cy Young chance? Or is this just the nature of a highly competitive sport? The debate is sure to rage on, and we'll find out soon enough on November 12 when the winner is revealed. And don't forget, Webb still has his Gold Glove win to celebrate, a testament to his all-around talent.
