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2016 MLB free agency: Who hurt stock in postseason

By Matt Whitener

Oct 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto reacts after retiring the Houston Astros in the 7th inning in game five of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto reacts after retiring the Houston Astros in the 7th inning in game five of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brett Anderson during the first inning of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brett Anderson during the first inning of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Brett Anderson

There is a certain inherent value in being a hard throwing, sub-30-year-old left-handed starting pitcher. There will always be place for those, and they get a substantial amount of rope to live on as well. And more than anybody else, Anderson has lived on his past reputation as the default ace of the Oakland Athletics from years ago and has carried it through the opportunities to rebuild his stock through years of injuries at every stop along his way.

The stage of the postseason bodes well for those in those favorable positions to take promising free agent stock to another level. And Anderson had a great opportunity to propel his stock to another level in the understudy role to the Clayton Kershaw/Zack Greinke show this year, and he mostly took advantage of it by turning in a 10-9 record, with a 3.69 ERA and (most importantly) career bests with 180 innings over 31 starts.

Yet, he could have truly benefited by putting on a strong performance in his lone appearance this postseason, but instead lasted only three innings, while surrendering six runs on seven hits. Anderson will still get a better deal than he did last year, but lost a prime chance to really put himself over with a strong playoff showing.

Next: Johnny Cueto

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