MLB awards pick: Tim Lincecum for NL Cy Young

 The annual Baseball Writers Association of America awards parade began today with the two no-suspense Rookie of the Year award announcements  -- with Cy Youngs, managers and MVPs still to come.

And just so you know, the process works this way: Only two writers from each league city get a ballot. That means 32 voters for each of the four National League awards, and 28 for each of the four American League awards.

On the rookie, manager and Cy Young ballots, voters include only three names, and points are awarded on a 5-3-1 basis -- five points for first place, three for second, one for third.

The MVP ballots go much deeper -- 10 spots, with points awarded on this basis -- 14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third and so on down to one point for 10th place.

And remember, only regular-season play counts. So with the details out of the way, here's one opinion on the NL Cy Young Award, which will be announced Tuesday.

1) Tim Lincecum, San Francisco; 2) Johan Santana, New York; 3) Brandon Webb, Arizona

This is your most intriguing -- and possibly the closest -- vote of all eight BBWAA awards.

There is nobody you'd rather watch than the excitable Lincecum. He looks like the batboy, but pitches like Bob Gibson -- league strikeout leader, second in wins and ERA, and an 18-5 record on a bad team that didn't hit much, costing him a couple of more wins. In fact, nine of Lincecum's 18 wins came when the Giants scored four runs or less, including two 1-0 games.

Santana won the ERA title, led in innings pitched, and kept the Mets close with a brilliant stretch run. But his 16 wins just aren't quite enough for a Cy Young when the league-leader had 22.

Webb lost the award during a September slide, but still had four more wins than anybody else, plus other strong supporting numbers.

CC Sabathia also deserves consideration for this award for his dominating 11-2 run that helped push the Brewers into the playoffs. But 17 starts, as great as they were, just don't equal the full-season accomplishments of Lincecum, Santana and Webb.

Others who could receive votes are Brad Lidge, Ryan Dempster, Edinson Volquez and Cole Hamels.

Check out other MLB awards posts: Rookies of the Year,  Edinson Volquez gets votes despite not being a rookie

Check out Giants Examiners Claire Reclosado and Theo Fightmaster