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Last week I took a look at the WAR and FIP leaders among American League starters in attempt to frame up the top contenders for the league's Cy Young Award after a little more than a month of the season. Now it's the NL's turn.

WAR Leaders (FanGraphs formula)
Adam Wainwright, RHP -- St. Louis Cardinals: 2.2
Wainwright took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his last start and has issues but four bases on balls in 58 2/3 innings.

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Matt Harvey not only pitches quality innings, he is churning them out in bunches.

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The New York Mets, desperate to add some pop to their lineup, are in talks on a deal for free agent outfielder Rick Ankiel, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

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Mets manager Terry Collins moved Ike Davis to the cleanup spot for the first time since mid-April, but it was more of the same for the struggling first baseman, who went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a 3-2 loss to the Pirates on Sunday.

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Jacoby Ellsbury is set to hit the free agent market after the season and the good news is he's stayed healthy, playing in each of the Boston Red Sox's 33 games. How is the rest of Ellsbury's game shaping up?

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Since the season began I've kept a running entry on the young first basemen attempting to finally establish themselves as everyday players and solidify their spots on the 25-man roster. Seattle's Justin Smoak, Ike Davis of the New York Mets, San Francisco's Brandon Belt, Mitch Moreland in Texas, Brett Wallace in Houston and the Padres' Yonder Alonso all qualify, as does KC's Eric Hosmer. For some, at more than five weeks into the season, their time may be running out, while clubs may choose to cut the cord on others, sooner than later.

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With the first week of May behind us it's noteworthy that near-ready prospects who started the season in the minors have surpassed the threshold of service time that will prolong their free agent status for another year, and despite the fact that he started the season in the big leagues, Jackie Bradley, Jr. is now at that point, too, notes Alex Speier of WEEI.com.

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San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence is scheduled to become a free agent after the World Series in October. He'll join Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury as the top outfielders and hitters available. It's certainly not out of the question that the defending champs attempt to extend his contract before he hits the market, but Pence could cash in big if he continues his strong start to the 2013 season.

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Is New York Mets manager Terry Collins long for the job?

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Shin-Soo Choo is scheduled to hit the free agent market at the end of the 2013 season and with Scott Boras serving as his representation, an extension during the year shouldn't be expected any more than one might assume a cure for the zombies in The Walking Dead. Choo is making a case, however, to be the top free agent bat next offseason, despite a former MVP among the available hitters.

Mike Napoli, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Morneau and Kendrys Morales are also set to hit free agency, but probably pale in comparison to Choo overall. Robinson Cano is the biggest name on the free agent list, but with his recent change in agents -- from the Boras, Corp. to CAA -- there's likely a better chance something gets done between the player and the New York Yankees before November.

Choo, 31 in July, had two more hits Friday and takes a .330/.467/.541 triple-slash into Saturday's tilt at Wrigley Field.

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A manager on a one-year contract is nothing unusual. In fact, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark wrote last week that one-third of the current big league skippers are dealing with a lame duck status.

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New York Mets fans already like what they see in Matt Harvey. They also can't wait to get their first in-person look at another top-shelf pitching prospect, righthander Zack Wheeler.

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There appears to be little chance of Frank Francisco returning to the New York Mets' bullpen anytime soon.

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If all goes well in an extended spring training game Monday in Port St. Lucie, Shaun Marcum is due to be activated by the New York Mets in time to face the Phillies Saturday at Citi Field, reports Adam Rubin.

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