Maybe the A's brass has to accept the possibility that Cust's 2007 was an anomaly or an aberration.  He wouldn't be the first. Chris Shelton?  Kevin Maas?  Why don't we go ahead and sign Barry Bonds?  Love him or hate him, I think he would bring a major presence to the batting order.  Or even bring up the Marabino Patrol Craft?  I'm tired of the strikeouts I know is inevitable every time he's up in a crucial situation.  In fact I wouldn't be surprised to see opposing pitchers start to pitch around the guy in front of him just to get to him!  I don't know about you but I like a Bonds, Thomas, Chavez middle of the lineup.

While we're at it I have a few more ideas. 

How about playing Davis everyday in center field and leading off.  We'll have an excellent lead off hitter with speed and solid defense to compensate for Cust (Bonds?) in left.  I don't think he can be any worse then Ryan Sweeney or Chris Denorfia.  And so far I like what I've seen from him.  Emil Brown could be the other corner outfielder, send down Ryan Sweeney and Buck and Denorfia could be the backups.

We could keep Mike Sweeney to backup Barton and provide a lively bat off the bench and start against the occasional left handers.

And finally, I'd switch Huston Street and Santiago Casilla's roles.  In fact I would only like to see Street come in to get the occasional tough right handers and back him up with Embree, a la Gene Nelson - Rick Honeycutt style.

I never expected us to be in contention at the end of April, much less in first place, but we have a chance to actually make a run at it now, why not go for the whole thing?