One of the simplest pleasures of the World Series is that it’s quite literally the only game in town. All eyes are on two teams sharing one field, where every pitch matters.
This year’s edition, won dramatically by the Washington Nationals, had an extra layer of intrigue thanks to the presence of the winter’s top three free agents: Houston Astros starter Gerrit Cole, Washington starter Stephen Strasburg and Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon.
Throughout the playoffs, these players had one last chance to impress before hitting the open market. All three are clients of mega-agent Scott Boras, and all three have long enough track records to ensure substantial paydays regardless of October performances.
Still, extensive playoff runs gave each star a last chance to impress before hitting the open market. Here’s how they did:
SP Gerrit Cole: five starts, 1.72 ERA, 11.5 K/9, .515 OPS allowed
With the exception of Game 1 of the World Series, Cole was virtually unhittable this post-season. The 29-year-old Cy Young candidate racked up 25 strikeouts in two starts against the Tampa Bay Rays, picking up where he left off as the MLB strikeout leader (326) this season.
As sweet as Cole’s post-season run was, though, it ended on a sour note. He warmed up in the bullpen in Game 7, while the Astros nursed a 2-0 lead. Then Howie Kendrick launched a go-ahead homer — the eventual game-winner — for the Nationals. Cole never entered the game.
Afterward, Cole made sure to clarify that he was no longer a member of the Astros.
Of course, he’s not wrong. But it’s not a good sign for Houston.
SP Stephen Strasburg: six games (five starts), 1.98 ERA, 11.6 K/9, .607 OPS allowed
Strasburg, 31, was a rock for the Nationals’ rotation this fall, excelling in every opportunity. That included three outings (two starts) in elimination games, in which he went 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA.
All five of Strasburg’s post-season starts lasted at least six innings, which was a major boost for a Nationals team that had the highest bullpen FIP (4.94) of all the 2019 playoff teams.
Strasburg’s signature October moment came in Game 6 of the World Series, when he allowed two runs in 8.1 innings. Having only thrown 104 pitches, he had a chance for the first World Series complete game since 2015 (and a nice line on his Hall of Fame resume), but the Nationals turned the game over to Sean Doolittle.
Still, Strasburg reaffirmed his status as a post-season stud on his way to winning World Series MVP. His career playoff ERA (1.46) is third lowest among qualified pitchers.
It’s worth noting Strasburg won’t be a free agent unless he opts out of the remaining four years and $100 million on his contract. Based on his last month, though, that’s starting to look like an easier decision.
3B Anthony Rendon (17 games, .328/.413/.590, 15 RBI)
Rendon picked the right time to have a career year — reaching his first all-star game and posting a 1.010 OPS — and rode that momentum all the way through the playoffs. He reached base in 15 of 17 games and ended the World Series with a pair of critical home runs.
The earning potential is sky high for the 29-year-old, who was reportedly offered a seven-year extension worth roughly $210 million to $215 million in September.
Rendon’s closest comparable is Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who signed an eight-year, $260-million contract last winter. Arenado is a year younger and offers more value defensively, but Rendon’s recent output will help. Clearly he is at least seeking more than the Nationals’ reported offer.
Entering the playoffs, Cole, Strasburg and Rendon were already blue-chip free-agents-to-be. They all helped their stock this October, setting up an expensive off-season for whichever teams are seeking some the market’s top talent.
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