Zack Greinke Traded to Brewers: The Top 10 Cy Young Candidates in the NL in 2011

Zack Greinke was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers around 9:30 Sunday morning.  Does this announcement make him an automatic favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award?  After all, he did win the award in the American League in 2009.  Here are 10 pitchers who will compete with Greinke for the award in 2011.  

Brandon Webb

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - APRIL 06: Starting pitcher Brandon Webb #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the MLB openning day game at Chase Field on April 6, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 9-8. (Pho

Webb posted a 3.27 ERA over the first six years of his career before injuries cut short his season in 2010. Webb should be back to his dominant self in 2011 and will make a run for the Cy Young.  

Johan Santana

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros on August 28, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Santana had just 11 wins last season but had an ERA of under 3.00.  If the offense produces runs behind him, Santana will win 18 games this year and could make another run for the title that he won in 2004 and 2006.

Tim Lincecum

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Starting pitcher Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on November 1, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Giants wo

This is an obvious choice.  The Freak has had a winning record in all four years in the league so far and was as dominant as ever down the stretch last season, leading San Francisco to a World Series title.  

Roy Halladay

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 06: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during his no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on October 6, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Phillies defeated the Reds

Halladay is coming off the best season in his career, tossing a perfect game and becoming only the second pitcher in Major League history to throw a no-hitter in the postseason.  Halladay has a good chance to repeat in 2011 and take home the hardware.  

Adam Wainwright

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Starter Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Padres 4-1. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

Wainwright finished second in wins in the National League in 2010 to Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. Wainwright has the potential to win more than 20 games for the first time in his career in 2011 and will most likely have an ERA under 3.00 again next season.  

Josh Johnson

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: National League All-Star Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins throws a ptich during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Johnson had the second best ERA in the Majors last season at 2.30.  While struggling in the wins column, he still finished in the top five in Cy Young voting last season.  Should the Marlins offense improve in 2011, Johnson should make a strong case for the award.  

Cliff Lee

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 02: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in Game Five of the 2009 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 2, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo

Lee is back in the National League where he showed dominance in half a season with the Phillies. Philadelphia's explosive offense and Lee's dominance should equate to over 20 wins, with a sub 3.00 ERA. Lee will definitely make a case for the award in 2011.  

Ubaldo Jimenez

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 2: Starter Ubaldo Jimenez #38 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Rockies 1-0 in 11 innings. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Get

Jimenez finished third in wins in the National League in 2010 with 19.  Along with 19 wins, Jimenez had 214 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.88.  These numbers should stay consistent in 2011 should Jimenez stay healthy.  

Clayton Kershaw

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 24: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on September 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen

Lack of offense plagued Kershaw in 2010.  Kershaw posted 13 wins with 212 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA. Watch for him to quietly make a case for himself in 2011.  

Zack Greinke

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 11: Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 11, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Another obvious choice to win the award.  Greinke has proven himself as a pitcher, and coming into the National League Greinke's numbers should increase from 2010.  He enters a league where he will face the Pirates, Cubs and Astros, all easier teams than he faces in the AL Central.  Greinke should also have success against other National League teams.  Greinke could easily lead the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA at the end of the season.