Peavy

Among many big leaguers making a comeback in 2010, Jake Peavy is one to keep an eye on. The 2007 NL Cy Young winner, may struggle a bit making the transition to the AL, but White Sox fans can rest assure that Peavy will make many quality starts this season. A former Padres workhorse, Peavy made 3 impressive starts at the end of last season, boasting a solid 1.35 era and striking out 18.

Something that may end up hurting Peavy in the end, is the intelligence of manager Ozzie Guillien. In Peavy's last spring training start he threw 112 pitches in a minor league game against the Reds. While Peavy did say he wanted the work, it makes absolutely no sense for him to throw that many pitches in a spring training game. No major league pitcher will throw more pitches in a single outing this spring.

While Peavy is by no means a lock for the Cy Young, he definitely has the stuff and presence on the mound to have a solid 2010 campaign. And if the White Sox want any chance at winning the division, they need to return to form.

To Spit or Not to Spit?

In 2008 Matt Garza had a break out season, and propelled the Rays to their first ever World Series. Last year was nothing more than a disappointment. Throughout the year he struggled with the long ball, allowing 25 on the year, which lead to a 3.95 era and an 8 and 12 record.

While Garza is a long shot for the Cy, we feel that he has the stuff to make a solid run in 2010. Featuring a fastball in the low to mid 90's, and a breaking ball that leaves hitters buckled up for a cross country trip, Garza will look to build off his solid 189k 2009 campaign. While the Rays offense may struggle to get him a win, you can look to Garza to be amongst top AL pitchers at the end of this season.

AL Cluster F*?#

It's been nearly 10 years since an AL pitcher has won back to back Cy Young awards. In a lineup heavy league it has become more and more difficult to put up Cy worthy numbers once, never the less 2 or 3 times. Guys like Lester, Beckett, Sabathia, and Garza face stacked orders 1 through 9 on a regular basis. Just think, the #7 hitter in the Yankees lineup last year hit 28 dingers and knocked in 82 runs.... ridiculous. Greinke, Lee, and Peavy will be stuck with lineups unable to produce enough runs to get the win. So the question becomes, in the cluster f*?# that is the AL, who will reign supreme?

Over the next couple of days we will be highlighting top Cy Young favorites, as well as some sleepers who we think will emerge in the 2010 season. Stay Tuned....