A's closer Blake Treinen not AL Cy Young finalist despite historic season

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A's closer Blake Treinen put together one of the best seasons a relief pitcher has ever had, but it wasn't enough to be named a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award.

Starting pitchers Blake Snell of Tampa Bay, Justin Verlander of Houston, and Corey Kluber of Cleveland were announced as the three nominees Monday afternoon. 

Treinen, 30,  went 9-2 with 38 saves and a 0.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, notching 100 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings. He became the first player in MLB history to record at least 30 saves and 100 strikeouts with an ERA under one.

Snell went 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, striking out 221 batters in 180 2/3 innings.

Verlander was 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, recording 290 strikeouts in 214 innings.

Kluber finished 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, with 222 strikeouts in 215 innings.

It is extremely rare for a relief pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. The last to do it was Dodgers closer Eric Gagne in 2003. In the American League, you have to go all the way back to 1992 when Dennis Eckersley won the award.

Treinen was named a finalist for the AL Reliever of the Year Award but finished as a runner-up to Seattle's Edwin Diaz, despite leading Major League relievers with a 4.3 WAR.

Nonetheless, a 0.78 ERA over the course of a full season is an unbelievable accomplishment. Treinen has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the game.

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