5 MLB free agents-to-be who have helped themselves this postseason

4. Jason Heyward

Assessing how much Heyward exactly “helped” his offseason earning potential takes both a grain of salt and bit of context. There is no doubt that Heyward is one of the game’s top defenders and in line to make a killing in free agency this winter. Yet, there has always been questions regarding how sizable his impact is at the plate and what type of ability he has to carry a team offensively.

He answered a good number of those questions during the Cardinals’ playoff run however. Although his team faltered in four games to the Cubs, Heyward carried some impact at-bats in a lineup that had virtually none come from anyone else. He hit Cubs pitching to the tone of a .357 series average, which included a rocket of a double off Jake Arrieta when nearly no one else could even muster a ball in play. He followed it later in the game with a two-run home run and in the process affirmed the fact that not only is he capable of creating that offensive impact, he can do so in the biggest moments as well.

Intangible moments like that should create even more physical cash for him this winter.

Next: 3. Daniel Murphy