Cust Joins Growing A's Outfield Corps
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Print| The Deal |
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Another day, another outfielder for the Athletics. On Thursday, Oakland made its fourth trade involving an outfielder in a week, getting Jack Cust from the Padres for a player to be named or cash considerations. The A's previously dealt for the injured Chris Denorfia, Ryan Langerhans and Chris Snelling. Update: San Diego ultimately received cash considerations to complete the trade. |
| The Prospects |
| Cust, 28, signed with the Diamondbacks as a first-round pick out of a New Jersey high school in 1997. He has a reputation as one of the minor leagues' most dangerous sluggers and was tied for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League home run lead with eight at the time of the deal. He was hitting .295/.429/.692 with 19 RBIs in 24 games at Triple-A Portland, where he hit 30 homers a year ago. He's a huge liability as a left fielder and a baserunner, however, and he hasn't done much in his big league opportunities. He has hit just .222/.331/.389 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 144 at-bats over five seasons. By contast he has hit .286 with 199 homers in 1,113 minor league games. |
| Quick Take |
| Cust provides another outfield option for the A's, who have Milton Bradley, Bobby Kielty and Mark Kotsay on the disabled list and Nick Swisher on day-to-day status. Cust is unlikely to have long-term value, but his bat is somewhat intriguing. He also could get some at-bats in place of DH Mike Piazza, who's also on the DL. |
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