National League Pitchers of the Year

With the 2008 MLB season coming to a close, it is time to hand out some postseason accolades. In this case, an All-Star Pitching Rotation and Bullpen to represent the National League's finest.

For starters, I am going to point out why I am leaving two deserving players out of my starting rotation; Ben Sheets and Ryan Dempster.

For Sheets unfortunately its the same old song and dance, another spectacular season cut short by injuries.  Ben was an impressive 13-9 with five complete games, three of which were shutouts.  However his recurring arm injuries flared up late in the season causing him to go 1-2 in the month of September lasting past the sixth inning just once.

Dempster had his career resurrected this season in the Windy City, going 17-6, but I am leaving him off the list for two reasons. 

First, he was a pedestrian 3-3 on the road this season and crashed and burned in the post season, along with the rest of the Cubs, lasting just four-and-two-thirds innings and giving up seven walks and four runs. Secondly, he began the year as the Cubs' No. 3 starter behind Zambrano and Lilly, and after the addition of Harden, he can be viewed as the teams No. 4, benefiting from taking on the back end of other teams rotations.

Now for the starting rotation in the order I would rank them for the Cy Young.

Starting Rotation

1. Tim Lincecum *(Cy Young)

2. CC Sabathia

3. Johan Santana

4. Brandon Webb

5. Edinson Volquez

I give Lincecum the edge over Sabathia because he did more with less. While Sabathia's second-half run is one of the most impressive in the history of the MLB (11-2 seven complete games, three shutouts and a 1.65 ERA) he was helped by a star-studded Brewers club that reached the postseason.

In Tim Lincecum's case, he needed to hold opponents to less than two runs to give the Giants any chance to win. Going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA puts him in the top three in both categories, coupled with a league-leading 265 strikeouts, Lincecum is a complete pitcher.

Johan Santana may very well have been a 20-game winner if he had any help from his bullpen, which blew several of his leads late. Still, he was exactly what the Mets needed to stay in the pennant race, going 16-7 with a 2.53 ERA.

While Brandon Webb lead the N.L. in wins (22), he faded towards the end of the season, going just 3-3 in his last seven starts when the Diamondbacks needed those wins. Of the five pitchers, he also has the highest ERA and BAA. Webb is a elite starter, but if I needed to win one game, I'd take any of the three in front of him.

Edinson Volquez could be one of the brightest up and comers in the N.L. He burst onto the scene this season with a very impressive 17-6 record with a solid .232 BAA. Of the five starters he allowed the least amount of hits, but my concern with Edinson is the amount of walks he allows, but look for him to bring that number down next season.

Bullpen

1) Carlos Marmol

2.) Ryan Franklin

3.) Brian Fuentes (Set Up)

4.) Brad Lidge (Closer)

Carlos Marmol was Mr. Everything for the Cubs' bullpen this season, appearing in 82 games as the predominate set-up man, as well as a stint at closer. An immaculate .135 BAA with a .268 ERA and 114 strikeouts, as well as a league high 30 holds, Marmol was a one-man wrecking crew and the bridge to Kerry Wood all season.

Ryan Franklin served the Cardinals in much the same way, providing the backbone for Tony La Russa's bullpen. Franklin appeared in 74 games held 13 and saved 17 in the absence of Jason Isringhausen.

Brian Fuentes who lost his closer job after the World Series debacle a year ago and started as the Rockies' set-up man. However, after a woeful start for Manny Corpas, Fuentes was thrust back into the closer role and he delivered.

The rap on Fuentes has been that he can't finish games consistently, but he put that to rest, converting 30 of 34 save opportunities with a 2.73 ERA. This hard-throwing lefty would be an ideal set-up man to Lidge in the ninth.

Brad Lidge: What a turn around from a few years ago, when he couldn't buy a save to save his life. Everyone remembers that bomb Albert Pujols launched off him in the playoffs that still hasn't landed, but look at how his hard work has paid off.

A perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities this season, with a .198 BAA and .195 ERA, Lidge was automatic all the way to the final strike of the World Series and helped guide the Phillies to the World Championship. Who wouldn't want that in their back pocket.

So there you have your 2008 N.L. Pitching All Stars. It'll be interesting how offseason moves shake up the balance of power in the always-shifting Senior Circuit.