Philadelphia Phillies: Power Ranking Cy Young Odds for Phillies Starters

The modern-day Philadelphia Phillies are built on starting pitching. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has been known to make blockbuster deals in recent years.

Due to his tenacity and aggressive tactics, Amaro has put together arguably one of the best starting rotations in MLB history.

With the likes of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, many presume these three have the best chances on the staff of potentially winning the Cy Young Award. But don't count out the other Phillies starters just yet. 

That being said, here are the chances each Phillies starter has at winning the 2012 Cy Young Award. 

No. 6: Kyle Kendrick

Kyle Kendrick has been as loyal to the Phillies organization as any other member has. Ever since being drafted by the Phillies in the seventh round of the 2003 draft, Kendrick has accepted every role thrown at him and has done exceptionally well.

While he is known as the long-term reliever, meaning if a starter gets knocked out in the first couple innings he will go in, he has also made some spot starts throughout his career. He is the guy who eats up much-needed innings in the bullpen but also has the stamina to be a starting pitcher.

There are two starting spots up for grabs and three people vying for them in Kendrick, Joe Blanton and Vance Worley. It seems that Blanton and Worley will lock the final two spots up, but Kendrick will certainly give them a run for their money.

Also, if either of those two go down to injury early in the season, Kendrick will take their place, which could lead to him pitching every five days on a consistent basis.

If that's the case, look for Kendrick to be as dominant as any fourth or fifth starter in the National League. Unfortunately I don't think that will be enough to be a Cy Young winner.

No. 5: Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton has some work to do, as he missed a majority of the 2011 season with an elbow impingement. The Phillies acquired Blanton in 2008 from the Oakland Athletics for three minor leaguers.

Blanton pitched in only three games in 2011 but still made a whopping $10.5 million. He won't come cheap in 2012 either, as he will be owed $8.5 million.

With this kind of money being thrown at a No. 4 or 5, he should be lights-out. While he is a good back-of-the-rotation pitcher, he is overpaid, and this will most likely be his last season in Philly.

Blanton is a great No. 4 or 5, but he is being paid like a No. 1 or 2. Something has to give.

All that being said, Big Joe still has some miles left in the tank. He will be healthy, hungry and ready to go in 2012.

Ever since his home run in the 2008 World Series, Blanton has quickly become a fan favorite in Philadelphia.

Does he have a shot at winning the Cy Young? Yes, he has a shot, but I wouldn't rush to Las Vegas and put my life savings on it.

No. 4: Vance Worley

The 24-year-old righty filled in nicely for the Phils when Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt both went down with injuries. With the departure of Oswalt, it looks as if Worley will own the fourth spot in the starting rotation. 

Worley was drafted by the Phillies in the third round of the 2008 draft. He had a brief stint with the Phillies in 2010 and had an outstanding record of 11-3 during the 2011 season. 

He finished third in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award and had a 3.01 ERA. Pitching in a hitter-friendly stadium, Citizens Bank Park, one would imagine a rookie pitcher's home run total to be rather high. But Worley only allowed 10 home runs all season for the Phils.

Vance had 119 strikeouts in his rookie season, which was second among NL rookies. He has great stats and powering stuff, so what's the knock on Vance Worley?

He throws way too many pitches and doesn't go deep into games, which means the bullpen usually comes into the game earlier than their used to when one of the Big Three pitches.

There's no doubt Vance has proved he can be a great pitcher in the MLB, but let's see how he does in a full season. Remember, he just finished his rookie season, so to throw him into the talks of the Cy Young Award already might be a bit rash, but you just never know in the game of baseball.

No. 3: Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee already has one Cy Young under his belt, so why not add another one? He won this esteemed award in 2008 with the Cleveland Indians.

During that season, he was an impressive 22-3 with a 2.53 ERA. Now that he has the big-time contract and a significantly better team than he had in 2008, he is more than capable of winning the Cy Young Award.

Lee pitched 232 innings last season, which is the most of his career, and didn't have any major injuries. This shows the lefty is as durable as ever and will put the team on his back in the time of need.

Even if Lee wasn't on the Phillies, I would still say he is a legitimate preseason contender to win the NL Cy Young Award. He even came in third place in the 2011 voting for the award, one spot behind another Phillies ace.

Cliff has a great team and all the right tools to be the 2012 Cy Young Award winner. Let's hope he continues his consistent success.

No. 2: Roy Halladay

Is this even an argument?

It's safe to say that Roy Halladay is without a doubt expected to be in the running, if not the favorite, to win the 2012 NL Cy Young Award. He already won the award twice, once in the AL and once in the NL, and he even came in second in voting last year. Many even believe Halladay should have beaten out Clayton Kershaw for the 2011 award.

They don't call him Doc for nothing. Halladay is a machine; he is always healthy and always goes deep into games. He's as automatic as it gets in the MLB. 

He threw a perfect game in 2010 along with a no-hitter in the 2010 playoffs. What more can you ask out of your ace?

He finished the 2011 season with a record of 19-6 and a 2.35 ERA, which is the lowest of his career. He has been lights-out during his two seasons as a Phillie.

Halladay is probably the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award. If he can stay healthy and as dominant and automatic as he always is, I see no reason why he won't be in the running to win his third Cy Young in 2012.

No. 1: Cole Hamels

How will Cole Hamels, the team's No. 3 starter, beat out the rest of the NL pitchers? It's quite simple actually. Ever since the additions of Lee and Halladay, Cole has only gotten better. Whether it be a coincidence or fate, you can be the judge.

Halladay and Lee already have their Cy Youngs; now it's time for the young hotshot lefty to win some hardware of his own.

He finished the 2011 campaign with a 14-9 record and a career-best 2.79 ERA. He also pitched 216 innings, which is the second most of his career. Most importantly, he was healthy for the entire season.

The main factor why Hamels will pitch lights-out this year, resulting in winning his first Cy Young, is because he is in a contract year. Before the Phillies had Lee and Halladay, Hamels was the ace. He even won the 2008 World Series MVP.

He could be an ace on any other team in the NL. He also has No. 1 numbers, which means he is going to want to get paid like a No. 1 starter. Let's hope the Phillies can afford him. 

Mark Buehrle just signed a monster contract with the Miami Marlins, and he doesn't have as good of numbers as Hamels does. Imagine what Hamels will be asking for if he has another dominating year.

It seems to be a trend that players play exceptionally well in contract years, especially Phillies players. Look at Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth, for example.

Cole is more than capable of winning a Cy Young and that will be in the 2012 season. He has developed a curveball that is extremely troublesome to hitters. He will have the fire to prove he is just as good as Lee and Halladay, and he will want to be paid like an ace.

As for the 2012 season, look for Hamels to have his best season yet and be a serious contender for the NL Cy Young Award.