Andrew Cashner (SP-SD) - Cashner has been good all year when healthy, give Thursday against the Giants was a different story - six on eight hits over five innings against the Giants. Cashner still finishes with a 2.55 ERA in 123.1 innings, though his K/9 remains a bit lower than we would expect from a guy with his stuff - 6.8. Cashner's 175 inning a year ago were a career high, but if you're skeptical on his making it through a full year without a DL stint, I don't blame you. He's likely to be the team's Opening Day starter in 2015 given the lack of resources to pursue anyone better, but a healthy Cashner has the chance to be special.
Travis Snider (OF-PIT) - Snider was 3-for-4 with a double and homer Thursday, and with a strong finish, he's looking like a possible starter for some team's outfield next year. Overall, Snider is batting .264/.338/.437 on the year, and amazingly, Snider is batting .366 in 41 at-bats versus lefties after struggling to the tune of 2-for-22 against them a year ago. In all likelihood, we can chalk those splits up to small sample size, but all in all, it's been a bit of a career renaissance for Snider this year. The key to me has been his 19.2% K%, a mark that is over 25% for his career. A few more walks, a marked decline in his K%, and more power all at the tender age of 26. His below average glove probably belongs in the AL and given the Pirates' OF depth, expect Snider to be playing elsewhere in 2015.
Edinson Volquez (SP-PIT) - Volquez probably just earned himself a multi-year deal Thursday, tossing seven shutout innings for the second consecutive time and fanning 10. Volquez finishes with an impressive 3.04 ERA in 31 starts, though his ratios were a bit more modes 6.5 K/9, 3.3 BB/9. Volquez has maintained his velocity well over the years, averaging 93.2 mph with the fastball this year, and the walk rate is the lowest of his career. We'd certainly love to see more K's in 2015, but it's tough to argue with this year's results. Volquez has stated his desire to return to the Pirates next year, though it's possible some team will pry him away with an overpay. As long as he stays in the NL, Volquez looks like a nice value pick again next year.
Josh Harrison (3B-PIT) - Harrison had a big game Thursday, going 3-for-5 with three runs against the Braves to improve to .319/.350/.496 in a surprising 2014. He now has hit in 13 straight and for the year has 13 homers and 17 stolen bases. Harrison had a .280 OBP coming into the year, but at age 26, this looks to be a real breakout. The only warnings signs would be the 4.1% BB% and .355 BABIP, but that shouldn't take away too much from what Harrison got done this year. He'll be the team's third baseman next year, with Pedro Alvarez likely moving on.
Steve Cishek (RP-MIA) - Entering the year, Cishek was looking like either a trade candidate due to his salary that is about to escalate, or a candidate to lose his job. He was solid last year, but there wasn't much of a track record. With his 39th save Thursday, the track record is there now, as Cishek has been excellent for most of the year, posting an 11.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. Perhaps the most important stat is his improvement versus LH hitters, as he's allowed them just a .215 BA this year versus .235 last year and .279 the year before. With a BABIP in the .350s, Cishek could even improve next year. We would think the Marlins would want him back, even with the escalating salary, but if he does depart, A.J. Ramos would probably be next in line.
