Why are there no Relivers talked about as Cy Young candidates?

I've noticed over the years that one of two things has to occur. First, if there are no standout starting pitchers in a given season, voters will look more closely at relievers. Second, if I reliever has an incredible season, such as an ERA close to or under 1 or at least close to 50 saves.

While the players you mentioned are having impressive seasons, they aren't incredible by historical standards and there are many starters with great numbers, such as CC, King Felix, Halladay, Jimenez, etc.

Right or wrong, I think that's the criteria voters use, so I don't see a reliever winning the award this season.

Tim

Well first of all because relievers don't pitch as many innings as starters and they don't have as much of an impact on wins. However if a reliever truly has a great season he can win it. A reliever doesn't need sub 1 era to win or .120BAA. For example look at Eric Gange, reliever who won it in 2002, he had a 1.20 ERA and 55 saves. A reliever soesn't have to be ungoldy amazing but the reliever has to be god enough to make an impact of many of their team's wins.

They don't throw enough innings to be compared to the starters.

But don't get me wrong, relievers play a big role in today's game and deserve recognition but what (and how) they contribute is so different from a starter that it doesn't make a lot of sense to include them in the Cy Young unless they throw Mike Marshall-like inning totals. They need their own award with the equivalent cachet of the Cy Young. (i.e. the award is voted on, not some silly thing where they add wins+saves)

They simply don't pitch very many innings compared to a starting pitcher. Even a starting pitcher with a 4.00 ERA, but who has pitched 200 innings has had a better impact on a team.

For a closer to be in the Cy Young conversation, they need to be in the midst of a truly incredible season - sub. 1.00 ERA, 0 HR allowed, .120 BAA, etc.

Because starting pitchers play a bigger role on the team than relievers do. Yes, a team needs a great bullpen staff if they want to progress far, but the bullpen is all a team effort. You have middle relievers, left hand relievers, closers, etc. Starting pitchers pitch longer than relievers do and are responsible for giving their team a comfortable lead late in the game.

It's simple, relievers are in the bullpen because they're not as good as starters. That could be for a variety of reasons (stamina, one or two pitches, wildness etc). Yes, I know, there are RARE exceptions but that rule hold true more often than not. That includes the closers. Why do you think when a starter is struggling it's referred to as "being demoted to the bullpen."

Because they don't play every day.