The results are in and, as many predicted, Zack Greinke has won the 2009 American League Cy Young Award .
He has also claimed:
Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year
Bullet Logan Award—Negro Leagues
AL's Outstanding Pitcher—Player's Choice Award
KC Royals Pitcher of the Year
Cool.
What does all of this mean for me?
As Chris Rock might say: "I got home from work and looked in the mailbox for my Greinke Prize, NOTHIN'!"
But that's not true. Every Royals fan won something today. Hope .
The idea of trading Greinke now is ludicrous; it reeks of a desperate attempt to identify "sell high" candidates, and illustrates an overall lack of baseball insight.
He just turned in one of the best seasons a pitcher has EVER had, he says he likes it in Kansas City, he's signed for the next three years at a reasonable rate and he just turned 26 years old.
You do not trade a "sure thing" for a bunch of maybe's; especially with the Royals track record of scouting talent.
Additionally, Greinke possesses the type of talent that can attract other ball players to Kansas City. Just as he makes management and the fan base drool, he has impressed his peers; as evidenced in the AL's Outstanding Pitcher—Player's Choice Award he won.
An optimal Greinke is a happy Greinke—we have experienced both in KC—and these accolades mean something in the grand scheme of things.
Greinke has previously stated that he wants to win . That is what motivates him, not individual achievement. He proves this time and time again in interviews *.
*Side Note: During this interview, Greinke revealed his ability to scout when he stated, "Davies thinks he's good at everything but he's not really good at anything."
Greinke wants to win everything he participates in. Playing for the Royals must be killing him.
Individual achievement doesn't resolve that, but losing out on achievement due to team ineptness perpetuates displeasure.
We can't afford to get too far ahead of ourselves and before last season Dayton Moore did sign Greinke through 2012, but he'll be under 30 and at his theoretical peak when his contract expires...will he be willing to re-sign?
Who knows? At least this years individual achievements give the franchise a stay of further negativity, possibility for improvement and doesn't add to the dog-pile of failure mounting on the lawn.
Greinke is the franchises best selling point in connecting with both free agents and fans.
If he comes close to replicating this years gem in 2010, he will legitimize his fans infatuations and prove he is the cornerstone player essential for a Royal turnaround.
That will assist in bringing coveted free agents to Kansas City without breaking the bank.
Which will lead to a more balanced ball club.
Which will assist the Royals in re-signing Greinke when the time comes and changing the overall culture of the franchise.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments