Maintaining focus in September can be tricky for non-contenders

By foxsports
Published

The end of the regular season is nearly here and about two-thirds of Major League Baseball teams have already realized they are not going to the postseason. If your team has a shot at playing in October then your focus is there, but if it doesn't, well, your mind may be elsewhere.

Below are the various mindsets that players on non-contending teams might have at this time of year.

The Returning Vet -€“ Get me out of here! This is a tough time of year if you're an established MLB veteran and your team is losing. You're a competitor. You've won in the past and you want to win now. It's not happening in 2015 and it's been a hugely disappointing season. You have a multi-year deal and you're not chasing any records or end of the season awards. You're giving it your best, but getting up for these September games can be tough. You might be thinking about hunting season, a Caribbean vacation or just sleeping in your own bed. Examples: Freddie Freeman (ATL), Ian Kinsler (DET).

Impending Free Agent - You're a big-name free agent, but your anticipated value may have come into question this season. It may have been because of injury or because you didn't have your best year. There's still time left. You'll be getting a good contract but this last stretch of the season may dictate just how big. Teams that have you on their radar for 2016 are watching you closely. They want to make sure you're healthy or that you're the same player they thought you were. They'll remember more about how you finished than how you started. Examples: Matt Wieters (BAL), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS).

First Time Arbitration-Eligible Guy -€“ You've put your time in and it's finally here. You are going to get paid. You have made right around the minimum salary over the past three seasons, but now you have some leverage. Your team is done and it's easy to get caught up in counting down the days until you can pick your own friends. But you have bigger goals, you're on the salary drive. It'€™s time to put an exclamation point on your season with a strong finish. Everything in arbitration is all about comps. Your numbers matter. Examples: Robbie Ross, Jr. (BOS), Will Smith (MIL).

Audition Players -€“ The end of the season for non-contenders can turn into tryouts for next season. Young players benefit when a team falls out of contention. The organization wants to take a look at what they have. You're going to get some playing time and you need to take advantage of it. While expanded September rosters are watered down, this is still a better time to evaluate players than spring training.  Have a good finish to the season and your team could be penciling in your name for a spot on the 2016 25-man Opening Day roster. Examples: Tyler Collins (DET), Ryan Dull (OAK).

So while September for non-contenders might seem like a drag, there could be a lot at stake for individuals. You can't mail it in. You can't look too far ahead. Your immediate future could be depending on it.