3 free agents primed to bounce back in 2017

Every player wants to put his best foot forward in his contract year, raising his stock prior to free agency, but things don’t always work out that way.

Take right-handers Charlie Morton and Andrew Cashner, for example. Morton tore his left hamstring in his fourth start of 2016 and spent the rest of the season on the Phillies’ disabled list. Cashner made 27 starts but posted a 5.25 ERA, including a 5.98 mark after a non-waiver Trade Deadline move from the Padres to the Marlins.

Still, the Astros saw Morton’s ability to induce ground balls and his high-spin curve and took a chance, signing him to a two-year deal. The Rangers saw Cashner’s stuff and his solid 2013-14 results and took the plunge on a lucrative one-year deal.

Charlie Morton was top 5 (min. 50 thrown) in curve spin last year (2990 RPM). The Astros threw more curves as last year went on. Easy fit. pic.twitter.com/TuS7zjWtm7

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) November 16, 2016

Charlie Morton was top 5 (min. 50 thrown) in curve spin last year (2990 RPM). The Astros threw more curves as last year went on. Easy fit. pic.twitter.com/TuS7zjWtm7

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But Morton and Cashner were not the only free agents to enter this offseason looking to bounce back following a disappointing 2016.

Here are three other available players who each produced less than 0.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) last season, according to Baseball-Reference.com, yet offer some upside for 2017 and beyond.

Brett Anderson, SP2016 WAR: -0.8

The issue for Anderson is always health, as the left-hander has endured numerous stints on …

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