Free-Agent Value Updates on All of 2014 MLB Postseason's Impact Players

It's good to be Pablo Sandoval. 

No pending free agent has earned himself more money during the 2014 MLB postseason than the San Francisco Giants' switch-hitting third baseman. At the other end of the spectrum is James Shields. The Kansas City Royals right-hander owns a 1-1 record with a 7.11 ERA in October after imploding in Game 1 of the World Series. 

From a player's age to injury history to the strength of a particular position in the market, there are all sorts of factors that determine just how much money a given big leaguer earns in free agency.

The postseason just happens to be the last time a player has the chance to make a sales pitch. This October, Shields wasn't the only impact player whose pitch was entirely forgettable. 

Russell Martin, C

Al Behrman/Associated Press

2014 Postseason Stats: .250 (1-for-4)

Stock: Even

Considering that Russell Martin and the Pittsburgh Pirates didn't make it past the National League Wild Card Game, the backstop's postseason play won't have any impact on how much money he earns this winter. 

The biggest factor playing in Martin's favor—aside from the fact that he's one of the best catchers in baseball—is that the free-agent market is otherwise devoid of impact players at his position. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Pirates plan to give the All-Star a $15.3 million qualifying offer. That means that if another club signs Martin, that team will have to part with a draft pick. 

While Martin promises to draw plenty of interest, Heyman highlights the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of Martin's former employers, as a team to watch out for. Even though he'll be 32 years old by Opening Day 2015, Martin could command a deal in the neighborhood of three years and $45 million. 

Victor Martinez, DH

2014 Postseason Stats: .333 (4-for-12), 3 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Stock: Even

The Detroit Tigers were swept out of the postseason, but it's difficult to blame Victor Martinez for the disappointing end to the season. During the American League Division Series, the veteran did exactly what he did throughout the regular season: hit. 

In 2014, the designated hitter was one of the most dangerous players in MLB. Martinez clubbed 32 home runs and posted a .974 OPS, which was the highest in all of baseball. Thanks to those numbers, the switch-hitter is about to receive a lucrative payday. 

James Schmehl of MLive.com suggests that Martinez could be in line for a deal in the range of four years and $60 million. That would be an extremely risky contract for a player who will be 36 at the beginning of the 2015 season. Then again, all it takes is one overzealous club to make such an ill-advised deal a reality. 

James Shields, SP

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

2014 Postseason Stats: 1-1, 7.11 ERA, 4 GS, 19 IP, 28 H, 15 ER, 4 HR, 6 BB, 16 K

Stock: Down

In the playoffs, James Shields has been making everyone he faces look like an All-Star. 

In four starts, the opposition is battering the right-hander to the tune of a .337 average. Shields has worked six innings in just one of those outings. That's troubling considering that the starter has made a habit of eating innings. In each of the past eight seasons, Shields has surpassed the 200-inning plateau. 

After his dismal performance in the 2014 postseason so far, Shields now owns a 3-5 record and 5.74 ERA in 10 career playoff starts. Those unsightly numbers could lead interested teams to seriously second-guess whether Shields is cut out for big-game situations. 

Hanley Ramirez, SS

2014 Postseason Stats: .429 (6-for-14), 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI

Stock: Up

Hanley Ramirez has only made two trips to the postseason, but he's delivered on both occasions. This October, the 30-year-old hit .429 as the St Louis Cardinals dumped the Los Angeles Dodgers out of the NLDS. In 13 career postseason games, Ramirez has a .356 average and a 1.031 OPS. 

While he's capable of making spectacular plays like the catch in the video above, Ramirez's overall defense is suspect at best and getting worse. As a result, just how many more seasons Ramirez will play at shortstop remains to be seen. 

However, the three-time All-Star has proven that he shows up in the postseason when it matters most. That track record of playoff production will only help Ramirez as he pursues a multi-year deal this offseason. 

Nelson Cruz, DH

2014 Stats: .357 (10-for-28), 5 R, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI

Stock: Even

On the surface, the numbers looked great for Nelson Cruz in the playoffs. That would be nothing new for the DH, as Cruz has clubbed 16 home runs in 41 career postseason appearances. However, Cruz's 2014 stat line isn't as impressive as it initially appears.

After going yard twice in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, Cruz disappeared along with the rest of the Baltimore Orioles lineup during the ALCS. In the four-game sweep against the Kansas City Royals, Cruz collected just one extra-base hit (a double). 

There's a chance that the O's ALCS loss to the Royals could be the last time that Cruz plays for the club. According to Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun, the team's executive vice president Dan Duquette "hedge[d]" when asked if he thought the power hitter would return. 

"We're going to put together the strongest team we can put together with the resources we have, but we have really good pieces already in place."

If the Orioles are to retain Cruz, the team is going to have to open up the checkbook. After leading baseball with 40 home runs, it's completely reasonable to think Cruz could land a deal in the range of four years and $64 million. 

Pablo Sandoval, 3B

2014 Stats: .346 (18-for-52), 7 R, 6 2B, 3 RBI

Stock: Up

Pablo Sandoval is on his way to a monster payday. 

The third baseman has played a key role in the San Francisco Giants' run to the World Series, racking up six doubles and posting a .346 average. Even before his October tear, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reported that "most major league executives" that he's spoken with think Sandoval will land a five-year, $100 million deal. The price tag is only rising with each clutch hit that the 28-year-old delivers. 

Jon Lester, SP

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

2014 Postseason Stats: 0-0, 7.36 ERA, 7.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Stock: Down

The AL Wild Card game didn't go to plan for Jon Lester. 

The left-hander, who owns a 2.57 ERA in 14 career postseason outings, allowed six runs on eight hits as the Oakland Athletics lost out to the Kansas City Royals. At least one of Lester's teammates was majorly unimpressed by the outing of the blockbuster midseason addition. 

"After all, I thought his purpose was to win us that game and beyond," an anonymous player told Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. 

Lester's subpar showing in the wild-card game certainly won't sink his value on the free-agent market. Still, it did guarantee that he wouldn't have the chance to pump it up with yet another postseason run.

Max Scherzer, SP

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

2014 Postseason Stats: 0-1, 6.14 ERA, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 HR, BB, 6 K

Stock: Down

Like Lester, Max Scherzer had an uncharacteristically poor outing during the 2014 postseason. The right-hander lost Game 1 of the ALDS, as he served up five earned runs in 7.1 innings. As is the case with Lester, it's unlikely that a single bad start will have major financial repercussions for Scherzer in free agency.

It is worth wondering just what kind a of marketplace Lester and Scherzer will encounter this winter. As Detroit Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski explained via Matthew B. Mowery of The Oakland Press, building a rotation of aces isn't the only, or even the best way to succeed in October.

"

Every year I’ve said this in the postseason for some reason, usually dominant starting pitching is what makes the difference for you in the postseason. ... I think you can go about it in different ways. This year bullpens have made a difference.

"

Lester and Scherzer are still on track to make a ton on of money in  the offseason. However, it's also possible that fewer teams will be inclined to dish out big multi-year deals to front-line starters. After all, the 2014 postseason has been dominated by teams with average rotations who have lights-out bullpens and airtight defenses. 

Notes: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com. 

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.