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Jack Cust

Olney On Cabrera, Yankees, Cust, Rays

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In today's blog post at ESPN, Buster Olney writes about the potential market for Miguel Cabrera, who is now apparently available in a trade. He notes the enormous financial commitment attached to Cabrera's All-World bat, and discusses the Red Sox, Angels, Mets, White Sox, Giants, Mariners, and Braves as potential landing spots.

Here's the rest of Olney's rumors…

  • Olney tweets that the Astros' payroll will be cut from $107MM to the low $90MMs.
  • Olney says the Yankees will look to add two relievers in all likelihood, though it's unclear if they're willing to give up a first round pick for one of the Type-A bullpen arms. For what it's worth, GM Brian Cashman said the bullpen wasn't an area of "obvious need" yesterday.
  • Jack Cust could be in line for a $4.5MM payday through arbitration, which just might get him non-tendered. Given all the DH-types on the market, that might not be a good thing for Cust.  We learned yesterday that the Mets might be among the suitors for him.
  • Regarding a potential Milton Bradley to Tampa trade, Olney says the Rays "absolutely will not do it unless it's on their terms, which is that the Cubs might absorb enough money in the swap of Bradley and (Pat) Burrell to make it worthwhile for the Rays."
  • Olney also reiterates that it's extremely unlikely the Padres will move Adrian Gonzalez given his favorable contract.

Mets Considering Jack Cust?

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We have considered A's DH/outfielder Jack Cust a non-tender candidate for some time.  Today, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News writes that Cust is indeed "expected to be traded" before the December 12th non-tender deadline.

Rubin says the Mets are "believed to have considered" acquiring Cust, while Seattle "may be the most likely destination" and the Rangers "may have interest."

As Rubin says, the cost for Cust figures to be low.  For one, the A's have to trade him if they want to avoid paying him more than $3MM next year after an arbitration raise.  Second, DH types are plentiful.

Obviously the Mets would see Cust as a left fielder.  Cust played 401.6 innings in right field this year and 585.6 in left last year, and the UZR/150 defensive metric was not kind.  Offensively, Cust is known for his propensity to homer, strike out, or walk.  His line slipped to .240/.356/.417 in his third full season.

Jack Cust Hopes To Return To Athletics

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September is lean for rumors, hence the "player hopes to return next year" articles we're seeing on a daily basis.  Next up: Jack Cust of the Athletics.  Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle talked to Cust, who wants to return in 2010 but knows the A's might have other ideas for their DH and outfield corner spots.  Assistant GM David Forst was noncommittal:

"We know what Jack can do.  That doesn't mean Jack is not in our plans."

Cust, 31 in January, is hitting .237/.356/.407 in 565 plate appearances this year, marking a three-year decline in his walk rate/OBP and SLG.  He earned $2.8MM in his first year of arbitration eligibility.  It probably does not make sense for the A's to pay him $3MM+ next year, so he is a candidate to be non-tendered.  That'd allow Cust to explore Major League free agency with only four years of service time.

The free agent market has potential DHs in Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield, Jim Thome, and Vladimir Guerrero.  At the least, three of the remaining 14 DH jobs are tied up with Travis Hafner, David Ortiz, and Pat Burrell.  Mike Jacobs, Adam Lind, and Jason Kubel all spent significant time at DH for their respective teams as well.

Perrotto’s Latest: Position Battles, Roberts, Pudge

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John Perrotto’s Every Given Sunday column is up over at Baseball Prospectus. This week, he takes a look at some of the position battles teams will face entering Spring Training. And, as always, there’s some interesting items in his Rumors & Rumblings section. Let’s take a look:

  • Some of the more interesting position battles mentioned: 1B/DH/RF in Oakland (Daric Barton, Jack Cust, Jason Giambi, Aaron Cunningham, and Travis Buck all in the mix), Tampa’s closer if Troy Percival gets hurt or falters (Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour), and the White Sox rotation behind John Danks, Mark Buerhle, and Gavin Floyd (Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Bartolo Colon, Jeff Marquez).
  • Brian Roberts still wants a four-year deal before Spring Training starts up, or he’ll cut off negotiations. Does Roberts make more sense as a cornerstone in Baltimore or as a trade chip?
  • Perrotto feels Tom Glavine will inevitably re-sign with the Braves.
  • The White Sox have minor interest in signing Ivan Rodriguez as a backup for A.J. Pierzynski. I’m sure Pudge would prefer a starting gig, but at this point, it’s tough to be picky.
  • We’ve heard a lot about the Orioles having interest in Rich Hill lately, but Perrotto reminds us that the Mariners are interested in the 28-year-old lefty as well.

A’s Avoid Arb With Jack Cust

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7:01pm: Stiglich has heard from a reliable source that the deal is worth $2.8MM; definitely a nice raise.

5:41pm: Joe Stiglich of the Contra Costa Times reports that the A’s have signed Jack Cust to a one-year contract.

Exact terms are not yet available, but Cust can expect a hefty pay raise from the $410,000 he made last season.  Working as an outfielder and designated hitter for the A’s in ’08, he blasted 33 dingers and drove in 77 runs.  Then again, Cust also set the American League record for strikeouts in a season and finished with a batting average of just .231.

Bonds For Cust?

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Scott Ostler has a suggestion in today’s San Francisco Chronicle: some kind of Barry Bonds for Jack Cust trade.  How would this work, with Bonds becoming a free agent after the season?  Cust, meanwhile, is under Oakland’s control for another five seasons or so.

Cust has easily been the Athletics’ most valuable hitter this year, despite spending April in the minors.  Bonds’ season currently ranks 16th among all hitters for VORP even in only 458 plate appearances.

The Giants have a chance to save $700,000 this year by keeping Bonds from reaching 525 plate appearances.  It’ll probably go right down to the wire.  Preventing him from reaching the last incentive would seem petty, and could mark the end of Barry’s long relationship with the team.  Problem is, no one can figure out another team that would have him. 

A’s Acquire Jack Cust

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The A’s have been busy lately with minor moves; today they picked up stathead favorite Jack Cust.  DH is the easiest position to fill, which is why Bill Bavasi’s Jose Vidro acquisition was so baffling.  Why pay your DH anything if Cust is freely available?

Cust returns to the A’s; he played for their Triple A club in ’05.  He’s a walk machine – he actually drew 143 of ’em last year.  They call him a Quad-A player, but he’s never really gotten a shot.  Why can’t he become Kevin Youkilis for the league minimum?  Cust has absolutely destroyed the ball in the minors so far this year.  He can definitely help the A’s at DH while they’re short-staffed.

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