Ranking the pressure on MLB superstars in the postseason

2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays: Guerrero's 14-year, $500 million contract extension doesn't kick in until next year, but a World Series title in the year he signed the deal would vault him up the superstar echelon and attract talent to Toronto.

3. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians: While those who know baseball know J-Ram is one of the elite players in the game, his public recognition is pretty low. A championship changes that.

4. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: Maybe because he has bounced around a little, but Machado needs something to point to as an anchor for his career.

5. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: On his way to a probable second AL Cy Young Award, a good postseason will put Skubal among the best of his generation.

Contract-makers

6. Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs: After a rather average regular season, coming up big this postseason would erase Tucker's previous struggles in the playoffs and force some team to back up the Brinks truck as he hits free agency.

7. Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox: Bregman is the type of player who makes a good team great. And with the ability to opt out of his three-year, $120 million contract after one year, it could net him the deal he thought he would get this past offseason.

8. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: Could have been Bryce Harper here, but the number of Schwarbombs made him the choice. He already is in line for a huge deal.

9. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds: While his future might not be at shortstop, his bat and speed are dynamic tools that could disrupt the postseason. De La Cruz still has one more pre-arbitration year. 

Comfortably numb

10. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers: What else does he need to do?

11. Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers: The 2018 NL MVP already has his contract and a solid legacy, but jewelry is always nice.

12. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: A 60-homer guy dead last? As a one-year wonder under contract through 2030, yes.