5 players who boosted free-agency value with postseason performance

The World Series is underway, and that means free agency is drawing ever closer.

The postseason provides an additional platform for the biggest names to showcase themselves to prospective suitors ahead of the offseason.

Here are five players whose playoff performance boosted their stock.

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals SP

By now, Wainwright's a St. Louis icon, and he added one more chapter to his story this October with a remarkable playoff performance. The 37-year-old's start in Game 3 of the NLDS was a classic - a 120-pitch, four-hit gem over 7 2/3 innings - even if he didn't come away with the win. And he certainly wasn't the Cardinals' problem in the NLCS, when he nearly matched Max Scherzer in a Game 2 loss. It would certainly be weird to see Wainwright wear a different uniform, but the playoffs proved he's got something left in the tank. If he doesn't want to leave St. Louis, then his postseason work earned him another year with the Cardinals at the very least.

Gerrit Cole, Astros SP

It's getting hard to find new praise for Cole. If his 300-strikeout regular season and possible Cy Young Award weren't enticing enough, Cole has taken it to a new level in the playoffs, where he's been virtually unbeatable. Even in his start in Game 3 of the ALCS, where he worked around a little bit of trouble, and his loss in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, Cole has been on a different level. He was always going to get paid in a big way this winter, but this playoff run will add several more zeroes to his next contract.

Anthony Rendon, Nationals 3B

Rendon was already poised to lead the position-player free-agent market before he went ham in October. His overall postseason slash line sits at .325/.423/.525 through the first two games of the World Series; Rendon hit over .400 in both the division series and NLCS. He also owns more walks than strikeouts in the playoffs. Whether it's in Washington or elsewhere, Rendon's used the Nationals' playoff run to reinforce the notion it would be wise to invest in his services this winter.

Didi Gregorius, Yankees SS

Tommy John surgery appeared to have come at the worst possible time for Gregorius heading into his free-agent season. But he bounced back nicely after returning to the Yankees' lineup in June and solidified his position as this winter's premier shortstop with his October performance. During the division series, he torched Twins pitching to the tune of .400/.500/.700, launched a mammoth grand slam, and tallied six RBIs - one fewer than the Twins' series total. Even with a slight drop-off during the ALCS, he finished the playoffs sporting a respectable .273/.314/.394 line. As a proven playoff performer in the biggest market, Gregorius will have no shortage of suitors in free agency.

Daniel Hudson, Nationals RP

The savior of the Nationals' bullpen cost the team a mere $483,871 in salary, according to Cot's Contracts. Hudson was pitching this season on a one-year deal he signed with the Blue Jays days before Opening Day - and that was only after the Angels cut him in late March. The 32-year-old became a relief ace down the stretch after joining Washington at the trade deadline, and then turned things up a notch in the playoffs - he's allowed just one run in October, during Game 1 of the World Series. Hudson's now set to make a lot more than $1.5 million in 2020, and perhaps for a longer term, too.