Ex-Yank Kennedy has shot at Cy Young Award

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson has been reluctant to tout his team for postseason awards, even as they race toward the franchise's first division crown in four years.

Justin Upton for MVP? Wait until the season is over, then see where he stands.

Gibson for manager of the year? How about a scowl.

Ian Kennedy and the NL Cy Young? Well, Gibson no longer is balking at talking about his ace's chances.

"He deserves it," Gibson said after Kennedy became the NL's first 20-game winner by beating Pittsburgh on Monday night.

He may be right.

Whether or not Kennedy does get it, he certainly deserves to be in a conversation that includes Phillies teammates Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, along with Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw.

Once a top prospect for the Yankees, Kennedy had his career cast into doubt in 2009 when he had surgery to remove an aneurysm near his right shoulder. The righthander returned late in the season to make one appearance and was traded to Arizona that winter in a three-team deal that included Detroit and brought Curtis Granderson to the Yankees.

Kennedy has won 20 of his 32 starts this season with just four losses for a winning percentage of .833 that tops the majors.

By beating the Pirates on Monday night, he became the Diamondbacks' fourth pitcher to win 20 games.

Kennedy has been his best down the stretch, winning 12 of 13 starts with an ERA under 2.00 as the Diamondbacks have moved within reach of the NL West crown.

Guillen wants an answer

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen wants a contract extension and soon.

Guillen, who has one year left on his contract, says he does not want to be a lame-duck manager going into 2012. Instead, he'd like the White Sox and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to tell him before this season ends if they want him beyond next season. Guillen is completing his eighth season as Chicago's manager.

3-year deal for Melvin?

Two people with knowledge of the negotiations say the Oakland Athletics have reached agreement to name Bob Melvin their permanent manager with a new three-year contract. Melvin is expected to formally receive his new deal in the coming days, both people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because there had been no announcement by the team.

-- AP