The voters in the National League last season set precedence last season in voting Tim Lincecum for the Cy Young instead of Brandon Webb who was 22-7 last season for the D-Backs. That was because Lincecum had better numbers despite playing for a inferior team. Greinke deserves those same votes if he pitches well in September. He has started 27 games for the Royals this season and he is 13-8 with a 2.32 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has whiffed 202 batters in 190 1/3 innings for the Royals this season while only allowing 165 hits and walking 40 hitters. Greinke has outstanding stuff and he’s a workhorse for the Royals as he has six complete games three of which are shutouts. He has been simply amazing this season.

The Royals have traded 38-year old lefty reliever Ron Mahay to the Twins. It hasn’t been revealed yet what the Royals will get in return for him. Mahay pitched in 41 games (0 starts) for the Royals this season and he was 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. In two years with the Royals, Mahay worked in 98 games (0 starts) in which he was 6-1 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. The Royals had designated Mahay for assignment earlier this week so at least they got something for him.

The Royals have released 3B Travis Metcalf as it didn’t appear that he would be ready to help them anytime soon. Metcalf played in 114 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 88 for 401 (.219 avg, .640 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 11 homers, 51 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. This will be no loss to the Royals.

The Royals have recalled 36-year old righty reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta from the minors to replace Ron Mahay in the bullpen. Yabuta has pitched in 31 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Yabuta was pitching in AAA when he was recalled. In AAA-ball this season, Yabuta pitched in 26 games (0 starts) in which he was 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Yabuta whiffed 53 batters in the minors this season in 45 2/3 innings while allowing only 39 hits which shows that he still might have good stuff.

The Royals have claimed 25-year old righty reliever John Bannister off waivers from the Rangers. Bannister pitched in 38 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 3-3 with 1 save, a 5.96 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. Bannister is a long shot to make it for the Royals but they have nothing to lose in taking a chance with him.