2025 AXE: 107.8 (10th on New York, 194th in MLB)As teased above, this is a bit of a cheat. Canning was indeed an under-the-radar trade acquisition over the winter, only the team that acquired him (Atlanta) didn't keep him. 2025 AXE: 119.5 (4th on Philadelphia, 53rd in MLB)Luzardo was actually the inspiration for this piece. Instead, when I wrote the season's first Awards Watch, Luzardo had emerged as the early front-runner for NL Cy Young. Luzardo still earns props for his early success, especially in lieu of Aaron Nola's struggles with production and health this season.