In the past two seasons, Cleveland Indians pitching coach Carl Willis has seen two of his pitchers win the Cy Young Award. CC Sabathia won it in 2007, and Cliff Lee won it in 2008.
So, can Willis work his magic a third time?
As of right now, the Indians have two contenders: Lee and Fausto Carmona.
It is unlikely that Cliff will repeat, but anything is possible.
Carmona, on the other hand, is a very good bet, and for many reasons.
Obviously, Fausto has the credentials. His stellar 2007 season, in which he went 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA, says it all for him. Many saw his sub-par 2008 season as a warning light, but they don't realize that it was possibly the best thing that could've happened to him.
Let me explain: He now has something to prove.
In 2005, Cliff Lee was a Cy Young candidate. He went 18-5 and had an ERA of 3.79. After his follow-up 2006 season in which he won 14 games, he had an upsetting 2007. He injured himself during spring training (which, ironically, is why Carmona got his shot), and was not the same for the remainder of that campaign.
In that season, Lee started 16 games (he appeared in 20) and had a record of 5-8 with an ERA of 6.29; not the greatest numbers for a previous Cy Young contender.
But after that disappointment, Lee concentrated, and he returned to form in 2008 and won the Cy Young.
Fausto is now in Cliff's shoes. In 2007, Carmona had a Cy Young candidate-type season (19-8, 3.06 ERA), but came back in '08 with little.
He started off slow, got injured, and when he came off the DL, nothing really changed. He went 8-7 with a 5.44 ERA. Sounds similar to Lee, right?
They both went from top form to below average in one offseason. But if Lee can follow up a horrible season with a Cy Young Award, why can't Carmona?
Willis and Lee both have the power to help Fausto in his quest. If they help him through his struggles, he could come out great.
Willis has coached two Cy Young Award winners in two seasons, so Carmona has access to the instruction. Lee has been through what Fausto's going through before, so there's the guidance.
Now, I'm not saying Carmona will win the Cy Young, or that Lee (or any other pitcher) won't. It's just happened before.
I look forward to Carmona and the rest of the Indians players in this upcoming 2009 season.
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