When executives begin mulling over the players on this year’s free-agent market, regular-season performances and career track records will play significant roles in the way front offices assess this year’s crop.
Many of those impending free agents rested their respective cases with this weekend’s season finales, but for more than three dozen of them, there is an additional opportunity to impress potential suitors on the game’s biggest stage: the postseason.
Let’s take a look at some of this winter’s free agents (listed alphabetically) who will have a chance to shine in October before hitting the open market.
Bryan Abreu, RHP, Astros
Abreu has been a staple of the Astros’ bullpen in recent years, pitching in four postseasons and posting a 2.49 ERA in 21 appearances -- 10 of which came during the Astros’ 2022 World Series run, when he had a 0.00 ERA for that entire postseason. Abreu’s elite strikeout numbers are huge in playoff games, though his 15.3% walk rate -- among the worst in baseball -- could come back to haunt him.
Jason Adam, RHP, Padres
Adam has been one of the steadiest late-innings arms in the game over the past five years, posting a 2.13 ERA over 300 appearances with the Rays and Padres, though a shoulder strain kept him out of action for nearly all of the past three months. What he lacks is a lengthy postseason history, having been there only twice (2022 with Tampa Bay, '24 with San Diego); Adam owns a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3 innings in the playoffs.
José Alvarado, LHP, Phillies
Alvarado returns to the postseason after being ineligible to pitch last October, hoping to wash away the taste of his inconsistent 2026 season. He had a rough four-plus months this year but turned things around somewhat in mid-August, until a couple of rough outings near the end of September. This will be Alvarado’s fifth postseason appearance, and looking like the pitcher from earlier this month would help him as he hits the open market.
Shawn Armstrong, RHP, Guardians
Armstrong will be pitching in this third postseason, having been on the wrong side of Wild Card Series sweeps with the Rays in 2022 and ’23. The right-hander made one scoreless appearance in each series, but he’ll have an opportunity to show his stuff in high-leverage situations as part of Cleveland’s late-inning bullpen mix. Armstrong has an $8 million mutual option that includes a $1.5 million buyout, so the 36-year-old is likely headed to the free-agent market.
Luis Arraez, 2B, Phillies
Arraez grinded through free agency last offseason before signing a one-year, $12 million deal with the Giants. Following an All-Star first half, the second baseman was dealt to the Phillies at the Trade Deadline, adding a needed bat to their lineup. As long as his sprained left ankle allows, Arraez would be taking part in his sixth postseason, though his performance in October has been lacking (.224/.246/.284 slash line with one RBI in 17 games). Turning that around this postseason could help Arraez land the multiyear deal that eluded him a year ago.
Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, Brewers
Bauers will be appearing in his third straight postseason, and if the past two Octobers are any indication, he could put an exclamation point on his free-agent résumé. Bauers set personal highs in every offensive category, breaking out in his age-30 season. He owns a .316/.350/.684 slash line (1.034 OPS) in eight career postseason games with Milwaukee, but he enters this October -- and free agency -- with a different type of confidence and greater expectations.
David Bednar, RHP, Yankees
Bednar bounced back from his subpar 2024 with a pair of stellar seasons, making him one of the top closers on this year’s free-agent market. The reliever was solid in his first career postseason in 2025, posting a 1.50 ERA and two saves in five appearances for the Yankees, striking out nine with only one walk in six innings.
Paul Blackburn, RHP, Yankees
After a career as a middling starter, Blackburn reinvented himself in a relief role in 2026, serving as a crucial bridge to Bednar. Blackburn’s lone career postseason appearance was a disaster -- four runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays in Game 1 of last year’s AL Division Series -- but he will have an opportunity to get important outs this October that could help him in free agency.
Alec Bohm, 1B/3B, Phillies
Bohm’s numbers have fallen off since his All-Star season in 2024, and although he drove in a respectable 88 runs this season, his -0.2 bWAR was his lowest since 2021 (-1.2). This will be Bohm’s fifth postseason appearance in a row, though after hitting two home runs with 14 RBIs in 30 games in 2022-23, he hasn’t driven in a run over eight games the past two Octobers as the Phillies have been sent home in the NL Division Series both times.
Matthew Boyd, LHP, Cubs
Boyd’s role in the postseason is still to be determined, because the Cubs have a number of options to use in the rotation. He hasn’t made a relief appearance since 2022, when he posted a 1.35 ERA in 10 outings out of the bullpen for the Mariners, who used him in relief in his postseason debut. This will be Boyd’s fourth postseason, having pitched to a 1.69 ERA in six playoff starts over the past two years.
Walker Buehler, RHP, Padres
Buehler had a pedestrian season in his first year with the Padres (4.63 ERA, 88 ERA+) but he did throw 153 2/3 innings, his highest total since 2021. Buehler could help his free-agent case in October, where he’s performed admirably throughout his career. The right-hander owns a 3.04 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) over five postseasons, all with the Dodgers, helping Los Angeles to World Series titles in 2020 and ’24.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B, Yankees
Chisholm recently returned from the injured list after missing two weeks, and while his season hasn’t been as productive as he had hoped heading into free agency, a big showing in the postseason -- something he hasn’t had in his previous four trips to October -- would help him in his pursuit of a new contract. In 24 career playoff games, Chisholm has a .170/.247/.295 slash line with three home runs and three RBIs.
Mauricio Dubón, INF/OF, Braves
Dubón has been a revelation for the Braves, playing 153 games this season between the infield and outfield, giving Atlanta a versatile weapon that allows manager Walt Weiss to get creative with his lineup. Dubón had never logged 500 plate appearances in a season during his years with the Giants and Astros, but he topped the 600 mark in his first year with the Braves, proving he can be an everyday player. Playing in the fourth postseason of his career, Dubón should play shortstop against left-handers and left field against righties.
Erick Fedde, RHP, White Sox
Fedde has started 15 of his 33 appearances this season, also pitching in bulk relief for the White Sox as he posted a 3.83 ERA in 141 innings. The 33-year-old should be in the postseason rotation, giving Fedde a chance to cap this bounce-back season as he heads back to free agency.
Ty France, 1B, Padres
France’s one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Padres was inarguably the best deal signed last winter. The first baseman delivered a 4.5 bWAR season with an OPS north of .850, his best overall year since 2022. France has rejuvenated his career in San Diego, where he’ll play in the postseason for the third time in his career, having been in 2022 with the Mariners and ’25 with the Blue Jays, making Toronto’s World Series roster after not playing in the postseason to that point.
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Cubs
Gausman has spoken of potential retirement, so how he performs this October may not have much consequence. But what if the Cubs make a run and fall short, coming close to the World Series title that has eluded Gausman during his 14-year career? After getting to Game 7 of the World Series with Toronto last year, might another strong October showing prompt Gausman to return for another season? How he recovers from left shoulder soreness that came from a diving play in the field could determine his postseason fate.
Sonny Gray, RHP, Red Sox
Gray had another outstanding season in 2026, and even as he hits free agency entering his age-37 season, he should have a number of suitors this offseason. This will be the fourth postseason of Gray’s career and first with the Red Sox, and while his overall numbers are solid (3.26 ERA in six starts), he’s thrown five or fewer innings in his last five October starts dating back to 2013.
Randal Grichuk, OF, White Sox
Grichuk was released after a brief stint with the Yankees at the beginning of the season, signing with the White Sox in early May. He’s been a huge addition for Chicago, crushing left-handed pitching with an OPS above 1.000. The 35-year-old should find himself in the lineup against lefties (and possibly even some righties), giving him a chance to show his value as he plays in the fourth postseason of his career -- his first since 2020 and only second since ’15.
Foster Griffin, LHP, Guardians
Griffin did enough during his four months with the Nationals (12-3, 3.06 ERA in 22 starts) to warrant a multiyear contract, but his time in Cleveland hasn’t been as successful (3-3, 5.19 ERA in nine starts). This will be Griffin’s postseason debut, and a big start or two under the brightest lights can only help his cause this offseason.
Trent Grisham, OF, Yankees
A right hamstring strain has kept Grisham out since early September, and it’s no lock that he will be active for the AL Wild Card Series. If the Yankees advance to the Division Series, Grisham could be back and either start in center field or play off the bench, giving him an opportunity to bolster his free-agent case. He has appeared in the postseason four times, slashing .160/.275/.287 with three home runs and seven RBIs in 26 games.
Ian Happ, LF, Cubs
Happ debuted in the season following the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series title, and although this will be his fifth trip to the postseason, the Gold Glove left fielder has only advanced beyond the Division Series once in his career. Happ has struggled in the postseason, slashing .178/.245/.400 with three home runs and five RBIs in 16 games. Two of those homers came in last year’s NL Division Series loss to the Brewers, though he hit .105 in those five games.
Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Braves
Iglesias re-signed with the Braves last winter for one year and $16 million, posting another strong season while receiving his first All-Star selection in the process. The 36-year-old will be appearing in his fourth postseason (his first since 2023), and while he owns a 6.75 ERA in seven career playoff outings, Iglesias did not allow a run in any of his three appearances against the Phillies in the ’23 NLDS.
Shota Imanaga, LHP, Cubs
Imanaga set a new career high with 174 1/3 innings this season, and while his ERA was also a career high (3.77), it was nearly identical to his 3.73 mark from last season. The left-hander could find himself in the bullpen in the Wild Card round, but if the Cubs advance, he could move into the rotation, giving him a chance to improve upon his postseason debut a year ago (0-1, 8.10 ERA in two appearances/one start) as he prepares for free agency.
Ha-Seong Kim, SS, Braves
Kim’s one-year, $20 million deal with the Braves has been a mess, contributing negative value offensively and defensively while missing more than 100 games. The 30-year-old has played in the postseason only once, slashing .186/.286/.256 with three RBIs and 14 strikeouts in 12 games in 2022 with the Padres. Kim is unlikely to find a multiyear deal on the market this offseason, but a solid postseason could help him secure a guaranteed deal of some kind.
Michael King, RHP, Padres
King’s strong season, which saw him establish a new career high in innings, should be enough for him to opt out of the final two years and $58 million of his deal, sending him back to free agency. A strong October could clinch that decision, while a poor showing could make him reconsider the opt-out clause. This will be King’s fourth career postseason, his third in a row with the Padres; he’s 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four games (two starts).
Nathaniel Lowe, INF, Guardians
Lowe hasn’t been as productive with the Guardians as he was with the Reds before this summer’s trade, though Rhys Hoskins’ injury has thrust Lowe into a full-time role at first base. This will be the fourth career postseason for Lowe, who hit three home runs with six RBIs in 17 games with the Rangers during their 2023 World Series run. Last season, Lowe went 1-for-7 with the Red Sox, starting only one game against the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series.
Tyler Mahle, RHP, Braves
Mahle’s free-agent prospects for this winter looked bleak given his performance with the Giants (5.13 ERA in 18 starts), but the 31-year-old has been excellent since joining the Braves via trade, posting a 1.99 ERA in nine starts. Mahle will be the Braves’ Game 2 starter, and a strong October could help the right-hander land a better deal this offseason.
Nick Martinez, RHP, Rays
Martinez is expected to decline his $20 million mutual option after posting an excellent season in his first year with the Rays. The 36-year-old had the lowest walks-per-nine innings in MLB this season (1.3) and doesn’t rely on high velocity to get hitters out. Martinez has been to the playoffs twice in his career, though all eight of his career appearances (3.18 ERA) have come out of the bullpen.
Dustin May, RHP, Brewers
May has a 4.82 ERA in 56 appearances (54 starts) since coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, a stark difference from the 3.10 ERA he had in 46 games (34 starts) prior to the injury. The right-hander hasn’t pitched very well since being acquired by the Brewers this summer, pitching to a 5.65 ERA in 10 starts for Milwaukee, but May -- who hasn’t pitched in the postseason since winning a ring with the Dodgers in 2020 -- might find himself with a spot in the postseason rotation anyway, giving him an opportunity to impress potential suitors.
Cedric Mullins, CF, Rays
Mullins has yet to repeat his breakout 30-30 season of 2021, when he posted an .878 OPS with the Orioles. His offensive numbers have paled in comparison over the past five seasons, though he’s hit at least 15 home runs each year while playing above-average defense in center field. Mullins played in the postseason with the Orioles in 2023 and ’24, going 0-for-12 in his first go-round and 3-for-7 with a home run in his second trip to October. Mullins has a $10 million mutual option that will likely be declined, so a strong postseason -- offensively or defensively -- could help him in his pursuit of a new contract.
Sean Newcomb, LHP, White Sox
Newcomb will be making his return to the postseason for the first time since 2019, when he pitched for the Braves in back-to-back Octobers. The 33-year-old left-hander has been a valuable swing man for the White Sox, playing a variety of roles from opener to closer and everything in between, something that should continue in the postseason.
Freddy Peralta, RHP, Rays
Peralta’s time with the Mets was a disaster, potentially costing him millions in free agency. A midseason trade to the Rays didn’t start out much better, but Peralta has been a true ace for the past month, posting a 0.79 ERA in six starts since Aug. 26. Peralta will be pitching in his seventh career postseason, though he’s 1-3 with a 5.33 ERA in six appearances (five starts) since 2023. A good postseason could help erase the memory of Peralta’s first four-plus months of this season as he heads to free agency.
David Peterson, LHP, Cubs
Peterson turned around his season following a June 25 trade to the Cubs, pitching to a 3.70 ERA over 80 1/3 innings after posting a 6.09 mark in 68 innings with the Mets. How that translates to the postseason remains unclear, because Peterson could find himself in the bullpen given Chicago’s plethora of rotation options. Peterson has been to the postseason twice in his career, posting a 3.14 ERA in seven appearances (one start) with the Mets.
Evan Phillips, RHP, Dodgers
Phillips was inconsistent during stints with the Braves, Orioles and Rays from 2018-21, but he settled in as a reliable late-innings bullpen option after joining the Dodgers as a waiver claim in August 2021. In six seasons with Los Angeles, Phillips has a 2.36 ERA in 232 relief appearances, and he hasn’t allowed a run in 12 postseason appearances (15 1/3 innings) from 2021-24. More outings like those can only help the 32-year-old this offseason as he looks for a new deal.
Robbie Ray, LHP, Padres
Two years after signing his five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners, Ray was traded to the Giants, pitching well across 2025-26 to make him a Trade Deadline target for the Padres. Ray, who turns 35 on Thursday, will be headed back to the open market without the contractual expectations he had five years ago, but a strong October could put him in the mix for a nice multiyear deal. Ray has pitched in the postseason three times (2017, ’20, ’22), posting a 7.43 ERA in six appearances (two starts) with the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays and Mariners.
Tarik Skubal, LHP, Dodgers
Is it possible for Skubal to raise his free-agent stock higher than it already is? Probably not. But as good as the two-time Cy Young Award winner has been the past three years, the only thing missing from his résumé is a deep October run. Skubal has pitched well in the postseason (2-1, 2.04 ERA in six starts), but he’s never advanced beyond the Division Series.
Seiya Suzuki, RF/DH, Cubs
Suzuki will be one of the top hitters available this offseason, so while his regular-season history should be more than enough to land him a solid deal, another good October would only benefit him. The 32-year-old hit three home runs and three doubles in eight games last postseason, posting an .863 OPS against the Padres and Brewers.
Alex Vesia, LHP, Dodgers
Aside from a minor hiccup in 2023, Vesia has been a consistent contributor to the Dodgers’ bullpen since 2021, posting an ERA between 1.76 and 3.02 in every other full season. Vesia has excelled in the playoffs (1.86 ERA in 26 appearances over five postseasons), though he missed last year’s World Series due to a personal family matter. Reminding potential suitors what type of late-innings weapon he can be in the biggest games will only help the 30-year-old during his first trip to free agency.
Garrett Whitlock, RHP, Red Sox
Whitlock has become one of the best late-innings relievers in the game since moving to the bullpen on a full-time basis at the start of 2025, so the 30-year-old should have no trouble attracting interest in free agency. The right-hander has appeared in the postseason twice during his career (2021, ’25), pitching to a 2.70 ERA in six appearances (10 innings), though his lone appearance against the Yankees in last year’s Wild Card Series did not go well (one run on three hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings of the Game 2 loss).