2012 MLB Free Agency: Ranking Top 20 “Winning Players” of the Group

Often times when players hit the free-agent market, the stats they put up during the previous regular season is what is largely taken into account when it comes to the teams that are interested in them.

However, one aspect to take into account when looking at a free agent's value is how well the teams he has played on have performed. To put it simply, some players just have a more impressive history of winning than others, and while that is often determined by the team they play on, the simple advantage of having more postseason experience can't be overstated.

So here is a look at 20 players from the upcoming free-agent class who can be classified as "winning players," thanks to a history of reaching the postseason during their careers and the role they played in making it there.

*Note: Player needed to appear in at least two postseasons to be eligible.

C Jason Varitek

Postseason Stats: .237/.292/.452, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 37 R

Postseason Appearances: 7

World Series Titles: 2

The days of Jason Varitek being an impact player offensively are behind him, but even as a 39-year-old he still has the unquantifiable "intangibles" that every team looks for in a reserve player off the bench.

He has hit just .230 over the past six seasons combined, yet he remains one of the better handlers of a pitching staff and should the Red Sox let him walk, which seems likely with the emergence of Ryan Lavarnway, he could conceivably play for several more seasons as one of the more useful backup catchers in the league.

UT Eric Hinske

Postseason Stats: .286/.444/1.143, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R

Postseason Appearances: 4

World Series Titles: 2

While Hinske is not a full-time player, he has more than made his mark in the postseason and from 2007-2010 he made the playoffs each season despite playing for four different teams.

He only has nine career postseason plate appearances, but he has still managed a pair of home runs and scored four runs as he has been one of the most productive pinch-hitters in recent playoff memory.

The former Rookie of the Year has become one of the best bench players in all of baseball, and look for the Braves to try very hard to bring him back for the 2012 season.

DH/OF Andruw Jones

Postseason Stats: .273/.363/.433, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 43 R

Postseason Appearances: 11

World Series Titles: 0

The decline of Andruw Jones was a steep one, as he went from one of the top sluggers in all of baseball at the age of 29, to an afterthought by the age of 30.

Still, he has managed to stick around in the league as a powerful bat off the bench and he is still just 34 years old. He has 279 postseason plate appearances under his belt and while he has yet to win a World Series, there are no doubt some contenders who would like to have him coming off of their bench in October.

DH Jim Thome

Postseason Stats: .217/.320/.470, 17 HR, 37 RBI, 35 R

Postseason Appearances: 9

World Series Titles: 0

After recently joining the 600 Home Run Club and finishing out the 2011 season with the Indians where he began his career, it remains to be seen if Jim Thome will return for the 2012 season or not.

If he does, the 40-year-old has proven to have plenty left in the tank after compiling .269 BA, 40 HR, 109 RBI over the past two seasons in what amounts to one full season of at bats. The fact that he still doesn't have a ring could be reason enough for him to stick around at least a couple more years.

RP Darren Oliver

Postseason Stats: 29 G, 1 GS, 2-2, 3.92 ERA, 31 Ks, 41.1 IP

Postseason Appearances: 7

World Series Titles: 0

Ever since moving to the bullpen full-time in 2006, Darren Oliver has enjoyed a career renaissance as the 40-year-old has become one of the best left-handed relievers in all of baseball for the Texas Rangers.

He has seen plenty of postseason action in his 18-year career with all but one appearance coming after he moved to the bullpen. While it remains to be seen how much longer the veteran can pitch, he has shown no signs of slowing down this postseason with just two runs allowed in six innings of work.

UT Jerry Hairston Jr.

Postseason Stats: .362/.396/.489, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R

Postseason Appearances: 2

World Series Titles: 1

It seems as though every year at the deadline, veteran utility players are among the most demanded players on the market as every potential playoff team is looking to add depth and experience to their bench.

Twice in the past three years, Jerry Hairston has been dealt just before the deadline and both times he has ended up in the postseason. This past year, he settled in as the Brewers' primary third baseman for the postseason and he hit .385 with four RBI and eight runs.

DH Hideki Matsui

Postseason Stats: .312/.391/.541, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 32 R

Postseason Appearances: 6

World Series Titles: 1

It was odd seeing Hideki Matsui in an Oakland Athletics jersey and the 37-year-old could be donning yet another uniform next season, although there is a good chance he will be back in Oakland.

He has seen plenty of the postseason while playing the majority of his career with the Yankees, and was named the World Series MVP in 2009 when he totaled .615 BA, 3 HR, 8 RBI in the six-game series victory over the Phillies.

RP Jonathan Papelbon

Postseason Stats: 18 G, 2-1, 7 SV, 1.00 ERA, 23 Ks, 27 IP

Postseason Appearances: 4

World Series Titles: 1

The star of Jonathan Papelbon has faded a bit over the past two seasons, and now that he is hitting free agency it looks as though his time in Boston is over. That said, he is still a top tier closer and one of the top relief arms on the market this season.

His success was instrumental in the Red Sox 2007 title as he pitched 4.1 scoreless innings to nail down three saves. He has experience taking the ball when the stakes are highest and that is not something that most closers can say.

SS Rafael Furcal

Postseason Stats: 226/.305/.339, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 33 R, 13 SB

Postseason Appearances: 9

World Series Titles: 0

The Cardinals opted to get better offensively up the middle this offseason when they added Ryan Theriot to play shortstop, but they changed their tune at the deadline and traded for Rafael Furcal at the deadline.

He responded by giving the team a spark on both sides of the ball, hitting .255 BA, 7 HR, 16 RBI while playing solid defense. With a weak shortstop class, he could draw interest from several teams and perhaps once again provide a boost down the stretch.

SP Livan Hernandez

Postseason Stats: 12 G, 10 GS, 7-3, 3.97 ERA, 47 Ks, 68 IP

Postseason Appearances: 4

World Series Titles: 1

One of the most durable starters of the past 30 years, Livan Hernandez is still plugging away at the age of 36, and while he does not get much attention pitching for the Nationals, he is still a solid starter capable of eating innings and winning games.

His claim to fame of course was the 1997 postseason, as he won NLCS and World Series MVP honors in winning all four games he appeared in. While he clearly does not have the same stuff he did back then at the age of 22, he can still get the job done and it will be interesting if a contender goes after him to fill out their rotation.

C Jorge Posada

Postseason Stats: .248/.358/.387, 11 HR, 42 RBI, 53 R

Postseason Appearances: 15

World Series Titles: 4

While the decline of Jorge Posada was a well documented one this past season as his numbers dropped to .235 BA, 14 HR, 44 RBI, he still earned a spot on the Yankees' postseason roster.

Once in the postseason he proved he can still produce, going 6-for-14 before the Yankees were eliminated. His time in the Bronx looks to be up as the Yankees have an impressive stable of young catchers waiting for their chance, but even at 39 years old, he could still garner plenty of attention this offseason in a weak market of catchers.

SP Freddy Garcia

Postseason Stats: 10 GS, 6-3, 3.28 ERA, 51 Ks, 60.1 IP

Postseason Appearances: 4

World Series Titles: 1

Despite all the talks of the Yankees' starting pitching being inept this season, Freddy Garcia quietly had a very good season going 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA. That will no doubt be enough for him to earn more than the one-year, $1.5 million deal he signed last offseason.

He was at his best with the White Sox the year they won the World Series, but the 34-year-old has shown that he still has something left and he could be a very solid back-of-the-rotation starter for someone in 2012.

SS Jimmy Rollins

Postseason Stats: .250/.314/.372, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 27 R, 11 SB

Postseason Appearances: 5

World Series Titles: 1

After a long stretch of struggling as a franchise, the Phillies have enjoyed an impressive run of success as of late, making the playoffs in each of the past five years and reaching the World Series twice.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins has been at the center of that success, as the homegrown shortstop established himself as one of the best shortstops in all of baseball. While he will be 33 years old next season, he still has plenty left and could be a big part of any team should he leave Philadelphia.

RP Francisco Rodriguez

Postseason Stats: 26 G, 5-4, 2.95 ERA, 49 Ks, 36.2 IP

Postseason Appearances: 6

World Series Titles: 1

The legend of K-Rod began in the 2002 postseason as he made the Angels' postseason roster despite pitching just 5.2 innings at the end of the season. He then proceeded to be the talk of the baseball world as he appeared in 11 games, winning five of them and posting a 1.93 ERA and a 13.5 K/9 mark.

Since then, he has broken the single season save record, signed a massive contract with the Mets and helped the Brewers to the postseason in a setup role this past season. He will no doubt be looking to get back to closing wherever he signs and he certainly has the track record to justify that.

DH/OF Johnny Damon

Postseason Stats: .276/.323/.452, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 39 R, 13 SB

Postseason Appearances: 8

World Series Titles: 2

After struggling to find a job last offseason, Johnny Damon signed a one-year deal with the Rays and was a pleasant surprise as he totaled .261 BA, 16 HR, 73 RBI, 19 SB for a team that desperately needed someone to step up offensively.

While he is now 37 years old, he will likely find at least a few more interested teams this time around and if he can latch on with a contender, he would certainly bring a good deal of postseason experience with him.

RP Ryan Madson

Postseason Stats: 33 G, 2-1, 2 SV, 2.31 ERA, 43 Ks, 35 IP

Postseason Appearances: 4

World Series Titles: 1

With the Phillies declining their option on Brad Lidge, chances are they will try their best to bring back Ryan Madson as their closer for the 2012 season. If they don't, he will be a heavily sought-after arm. In his first full season as closer this year, he converted 32-of-34 save chances and posted a 2.37 ERA.

Madson has been one of the most heavily used relievers in all of baseball since breaking into the league in 2004, appearing in an average of 61 games per season and posting a 3.60 ERA. Regardless of whether he signs to be a closer or a setup man, he can be counted on to shut down the opponent when it matters most.

DH David Ortiz

Postseason Stats: .283/.388/.520, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 39 R

Postseason Appearances: 7

World Series Titles: 2

David Ortiz ranks as one of the greatest clutch hitters in baseball history, and he had some of the most dramatic hits in recent memory in helping the Red Sox come back from a 3-0 series deficit in the 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees.

He will be 36 years old next season, but he is still producing at a high level. While he is limited to playing in the American League as a DH, he would certainly bring a winning attitude to any team he joins.

SP Roy Oswalt

Postseason Stats: 13 G, 11 GS, 5-2, 3.73 ERA, 56 Ks, 72.1 IP

Postseason Appearances: 4

World Series Titles: 0

With the Phillies declining their $16 million option on Roy Oswalt, the 33-year-old right-hander will hit the open market and represent one of the better options available.

The Phillies gave up a good amount to acquire him in 2010 and he helped pitch them to the postseason by going 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 12 starts down the stretch. Whoever signs him will be getting a top-tier veteran starter who is hungry for a championship as his career begins to wind down.

RF Carlos Beltran

Postseason Stats: .366/.485/.817, 11 HR, 19 RBI, 31 R

Postseason Appearances: 2

World Series Titles: 0

Finally a free agent after signing a seven-year, $119 million contract with the Mets prior to the 2005 season, Carlos Beltran will looking to sign somewhere that gives him a chance to play in his first World Series.

Despite never reaching the Fall Classic, Beltran has already made his mark on the postseason, as he hit eight home runs and drove in 14 during the Astros' postseason run in 2004. While he is no longer the dynamic five-tool player he was then, he is still an offensive force with a proven track record in October.

1B Albert Pujols

Postseason Stats: .335/.441/.615, 18 HR, 52 RBI, 51 R

Postseason Appearances: 7

World Series Titles: 1

The prize of the free-agent market is not only one of the greatest players of all time, but also a phenomenal postseason performer as he has proven once again this season.

With his three home run, six-RBI game in the third game of the World Series, he has shown that he is still capable of carrying a team, and that should only help support the monster contract that he is looking for.