Johan Santana

In recent weeks, it’s been a two-horse race for the NL Cy Young award, with Tim Lincecum thought to have the slight edge over Brandon Webb. In one game however, Johan Santana may have made it more of a three-horse race. Santana, working on three days rest, tossed a three-hit shutout over the Marlins Saturday to keep the Mets in the playoff race. Santana improved to 16-7, dropping his ERA to an NL-best 2.53. Santana is second in the NL to Tim Lincecum with 206 strikeouts, though it’s not even close considering Lincecum has 253. It’s very possible that Lincecum will be in a situation to win or lose the award when he pitches on Sunday against the Dodgers. Santana meanwhile has won his last nine decisions and has a 2.00 ERA in his last 12 starts, but will a lack of run support doom his chances at some personal hardware? We’ll see.

Ricky Nolasco

Nolasco has to rank at or near the top of top in-season NL pickups this year. Nolasco was outdueled by Johan Santana on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits over seven strong innings. Nolasco struck out 10, the fifth time he reached double-digits this year. It’s hard to overstate how big a surprise Nolasco has been this year with 15 wins, a 3.52 ERA, and 186 strikeouts (7.9 K/9). Nolasco didn’t allow more than three runs in any of his last 12 starts and will be a key piece of a young and improving Florida rotation next season. Nolasco did allow 28 homers this year, but minimized the damage with a 1.8 BB/9.

Jeremy Hermida

An 0-for-3 Saturday brought Hermida’s line down to .248/.321/.405 in 501 at-bats. I’ve always been a Hermida fan and will probably have him on my sleeper list next spring , but I wouldn’t blame you if you start getting a bit disillusioned. The Marlins would probably be right there with you. Hermida still has the talent to be a solid big leaguer, but a superstar? Doubtful. 138 strikeouts left Hermida with a mediocre 72.4% CT% and a 0.34 EYE, a number that has declined for an alarming third straight year. 2009 is going to be a make or break year for Hermida in terms of being a full-time major leaguer, but rumors have the Marlins putting him on the block this winter, a move that could save money and open up a full-time job for Cameron Maybin.

Manny Corpas

I wrote earlier this week that Manny Corpas was likely to take over as the Colorado closer next year with Brian Fuentes looking at a huge free agent contract. However, Corpas is doing his best in recent days to make Taylor Buchholz and Casey Weathers that much more intriguing heading into the offseason. Corpas entered Saturday’s game in the eighth inning Saturday with the Rockies up 4-3 and promptly gave it all back and more, allowing three runs while recording just two outs. Corpas now has twice as many blown saves (eight) as actual saves this year and he sees his September ERA jump to 6.17. Corpas has a career 6.4 K/9, so he’s never been that dominant anyway. Look for a spirited battle between the aforementioned Buchholz and Weathers along with Corpas for the closer job next spring.

Clint Barmes

Second base is going to be a position to watch in Colorado next spring and with the need to always know the starters in Colorado, you’ll want to watch this battle. Sure, the Rockies could bring in a free agent (Mark Ellis?), but they really need to upgrade the rotation, bullpen, and perhaps extend Matt Holliday’s contract. Clint Barmes is one guy who will be in the mix. Saturday, Barmes was 1-for-3, and has now hit in 12 of his last 13 games to bring his batting line to .294/.326/.474. the OBP reflects Barmes’ ugly 4.2% BB%. The .181 ISO is a career-best for Barmes who looks to be well past the deer meet incident.

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