| Analysis: His power dipped in 2009, so his .240/.356/.417 line wasn't enough to merit a raise from the cost-conscious A's. If he's kept away from lefties, Cust can be a viable platoon option as a DH (or in the outfield, if shaky defense is tolerated) as he still hit .247/.369/.461 with 22 homers in 373 at-bats against righties in 2009. Cust will hook on somewhere, but he's no longer a bargain for them - he's arbitration-eligible and made $2.8 million last year. With the acquisition of Jake Fox, he becomes somewhat redundant. |