Questions about Cust and future
by Yellowhorse on Jul 28, 2009 9:14 AM PDT
72 comments
Where does Jack Cust fit in to the future plans of the team?
At this point much of the focus for our A's is on the future, and rightfully so. There has been some great debate regarding SS and keeping Cabrera. (I vote to keep him for next season). The outfield has several young guys who appear to be in the mix for playing time next year (Sweeney, Buck?, Patterson, Cunningham, Hairson). Also, looks like we have some great young prospects for the corner positions and are set at 2B and C. The question I have is what is the future role of Jack Cust on the team?
At this point would he be considered a young player/ prospect? Is he part of the A's future? I ask this because in my view after playing pretty regulary for 3 seasons I have not seen much improvement from him at all. I think that Cust is what he is- decent power with limited defense, lots of strike-outs. I think Cust is a fair option at the DH position but could the A's be better served looking at a young prospect getting those at bats or a better hitting veteran?
I am starting to look at Cust like I do Crosby. An average major league player who does not show signs of improvement.
I think the A's should keep him on the team but at this point I think that they should look at trying to add another power hitting OF for next year, who can also be a DH. Or bring up another hitter from the minors to challenge him for his role/job. Not sure who is on the free-agent list but I think that the A's organization needs to come to the realization that Cust is a decent player but I think what you see is what we are going to get as we move into 2010 and beyond. The question is can the team find someone who can perfrom better at that role.
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I think One More Year Max
Too much corner infield/corner outfield talent on the way up— making the DH position more of a grabbag among players with much higher ceilings than Cust— Carter and Wallace lead the list, of course.
by jasonthea on Jul 28, 2009 9:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I see Carter replacing Cust in 2011
Cust can’t play the field and only if neither Barton nor Doolittle nor Wallace is at 1B might Carter play in the field. That leaves 2 DHs and I think by then Cust will be at an age where the A’s feel his best seasons are behind him.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Jul 28, 2009 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
His best seasons are already behind him
by RLangford on Jul 28, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That may be true, but I sure hope not.
I like watching Cust.
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 29, 2009 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 BBs and a single off the wall tonight in 5 trips to the plate
The guy’s not done, he’s just quite streaky. Here’s to a good streak.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Jul 29, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think the A's are in any hurry to ditch him.
He’s relatively cheap right now. He’s a filler guy until the prospects get up to the bigs. He’s fine. Though, I hope Patterson, Buck, Barton, et. al., get some DH ABs if for no other reason than to get them some ABs.
Cust has little in terms of trade value so they might as well just make him ride the pine more often.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jul 28, 2009 9:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cust
He’s a very good offensive player; good eye and very solid power. I think eventually Carter will supplant him at DH, and Doolittle will take over RF, which wouldn’t leave much room for Cust on the roster. That being said, I do think he is a solid option in the lineup if Carter ends up at first and Wallace sticks at third.
Jack "The Must, Just has no Rust, ain't no Bust, after him the ladies Lust, turns pitchers into Dust, likes his pizza with no Crust" Cust
by FrankCohen on Jul 28, 2009 9:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cust is not...
I repeat, NOT, a very good offensive player. He occupies the role of being a hitter that is supposed to drive in runs in the middle of the order. In fact, he watches way too many 2-0, 3-0 and 3-1 fastballs right down the middle to ever be able to fill that role. If he were fast and a good defensive player, then he would be worth keeping. He actually SUCKS!!!
by Keystone State on Jul 28, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The too many fastballs down the middle
is the part I agree with.
You don’t see the slegnA take them. They attack when they get a pitch to hit.
I wouldn’t say he sucks but he could do better.
My favorite team is a fucking embarrassment to all true A's fans and they make me sick to my stomach on an almost daily fucking basis. But being a true fan, I will ride this pathetic bunch of losers out and hope that they get better in 2010
by Trainman on Jul 28, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
very much betterer
PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves
by adragon on Jul 28, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he could.
He started swinging way more this year, and his numbers took a nosedive.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 28, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There have been at least two posts on AN about Cust's approach
The reason he’s having a down year is because he’s swinging at too many pitches in order to make more (weak) contact. Here’s one. Here’s another.
by NateHST on Jul 28, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bat him sixth or seventh behind some real hitters
and he’ll do just fine.
It’s just that we don’t have any real hitters yet…
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 29, 2009 8:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
He should definitely not be discussed in any future plans. I only see him as a stop-gap until Carter, Doolittle, etc is ready. He’s still cheap and that’s about the only thing I like about him and his BBs, but he doesn’t even get those anymore. He should be hitting lower in the order. And he IS NOT a clutch hitter.
by sf drift king on Jul 28, 2009 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling Cust a VERY GOOD offensive player
is just silly.
by RLangford on Jul 28, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No it isn't
Dismissing Cust because of one subpar season is what is silly
by DeJay on Jul 29, 2009 4:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many more years
Is Cust under team control?
by hishnik on Jul 28, 2009 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
2 more arby years
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jul 28, 2009 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it 2 or 3?
I know this is his first arby year but I had a feeling he might have been a super two. I could be wrong though
by DeJay on Jul 29, 2009 4:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade Cust
I would put him on the trading block because of how much he makes and how he is a streaky player. He can’t hit lefties so if we could get a good prospect for him let him go.
by Arcman on Jul 28, 2009 10:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well
this is the first year he’s had trouble against lefties, and it’s a SSS. I think he gets at least next year to try and regain 2008 walk machine form, and if he can’t he’s a gonner. But a 2008 version of Jack Cust is tremendously valuable, and quite undervalued.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 28, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
but let’s wait for a hot streak, then sell high.
by sf drift king on Jul 28, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem with trading Cust...
is that no team wants him.
by Keystone State on Jul 29, 2009 5:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
no team wants
a 30 HR, .350 OBP? i find that hard to belive
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
by naq92 on Jul 31, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand your comparing Cust to Crosby in terms of they both have reached their "potential"
but Cust is WAY better than Crosby, even more so if Cust stays away from the outfield.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
by micdog2001 on Jul 28, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sure about way better if he is a DH.
I think that the Dh should be much more productive than Cust. It was stated that he is a team leader in HR and RBI but our team is a horrible hitting team. His other problems on offense in my view lower his value. Obviously, if Cust played another position than Dh I would think his numbers are pretty decent.
by Yellowhorse on Jul 28, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cust ranked third on the team in WAR in both 2007 and 2008.
Crosby was 13th in 2007 and 6th in 2008. Crosby simply isn’t that good at defense to make up for his offense, unlike Mark Ellis.
by danmerqury on Jul 28, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
how many times have you said
Wow, we would have lost that game without Crosby (since 2007). I can only think of a handful of instances and none involve his defense. Cust loses value when he plays in the outfield because his defense is so bad.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
by micdog2001 on Jul 28, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cust is very valuable, even as a DH, provided he reverts to 2008 form.
The question remains, what Jack Cust will we see in 2010 and beyond? The Jack Cust .375 OBP guy from 2008 or the guy who has swung his way to the tune of a .326 OBP this year? His approach seems to be getting back to where it used to be, but unless he fully reverts to 2008 form he loses his value. He must sustain his amazingly high OBP to be an asset as a DH.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 28, 2009 12:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Men on 2nd and 3rd with one out...
Cust at the plate. The count is 2-0, fastball down the middle, he takes the pitch for strike one. Count goes to 3-1, again Cust takes the pitch for strike 2. Next pitch he walks. He has just raised his OBP – great. Next guy up grounds into a DP (happens all the time on this team). How valuable is Cust now? A sac fly or groundout (not helping his OBP, but producing a run) would have been much better. When are people gong to climb off the BB bandwagon with overvalueing OBP? The goal on offense is to score runs, NOT to simply see how many times you can get on base. The last time I checked, the team with more runs wins the game, not the team that got the most runners on base.
by Keystone State on Jul 28, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, when you nitpick certain specific scenarios, you can see he's not the perfect baseball player.
The goal on offense is to score runs
You don’t think that not getting out (high OBP) is related to scoring runs?
Next pitch he walks. He has just raised his OBP – great. Next guy up grounds into a DP (happens all the time on this team).
Really, you’re angry with Cust for walking and not the guy after him for grounding into a DP? Walking is a good thing. Baserunners are a good thing. Having more baserunners leads to more runs.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 28, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well you should obviously
Blame one player for what another can’t do.
Solace: Law says he's a fourth OFer
PaulThomas: I think Keith Law is only a fourth analyst
by hero66 on Jul 28, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We give players stats for something another player did.
RBIs and Runs for example are based on something that someone else did.
by LoneStranger on Jul 28, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which is why they're awful
Solace: Law says he's a fourth OFer
PaulThomas: I think Keith Law is only a fourth analyst
by hero66 on Jul 28, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not blaming him...
simply pointing out why he has very minimal value to any team. Good hitters in that situation drive the run(s) in and don’t depend on the guy behind them in the lineup to do so. It’s being called a leader. If any team is an example that more runners do not necessarily equal more runs it is the Athletics. As someone pointed out, this team can’t hit.
by Keystone State on Jul 28, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well first of all.
If any team is an example that more runners do not necessarily equal more runs it is the Athletics. As someone pointed out, this team can’t hit.
this team is 25th in baseball in OBP. So, no.
I understand that Cust doesn’t drive in many runs. Lots of guys who don’t drive in runs are still tremendously valuable baseball players. Some guy who was just inducted into the hall of fame recently never drove in more runs in one season that Jack Cust did last year. Does he suck? Is he not valuable? No.
Also, not getting out is kind of important.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 28, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This argument goes around and around
Pretty silly to read the same arguments on both sides, over and over and over.
At this point, with Holliday gone and Giambi probably gone, Cust and Hairston are your two basic power guys. I can’t stand it, but there it is.
I would LOVE to see more multi-dimensional players on the team. I have a feeling that the only time there should be a full-time DH on the team is if that guy is a real masher. And otherwise, the DH should be used as a rotation device, ensuring people get their rest and at bats. The problem is that Cust isn’t a real masher, and he should never be playing the field.
by richwol1 on Jul 28, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It really is
I do get frustrated when I read the argument though. I truly believe Cust is an asset.
Oh and +239498239 on multi dimensional players. It’s nice to see Rajai getting some playing time, as well as Patterson even if they don’t work out. They’re entertaining.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 29, 2009 12:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I said Cust was through...
…but it looks like he’s back to the old Cust. Boring…walk, walk, strikeout, strikeout, walk, home run, strike out, strike out.
But I think if you put him in the #5 slot, after Hairston and before Everidge, he could prove very useful the rest of the season.
by richwol1 on Jul 29, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So are you comparing...
Rickey Henderson to Jack Cust? That’s absolutely idiotic.
by Keystone State on Jul 29, 2009 5:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No I'm pointing out that your RBI argument is flawed,
just like every RBI argument ever. Also, way to ignore facts.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 29, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So RBI's are overrated...
speaking of recent Hall of Fame inductees, I’d have to say that the guy from Boston was basically an RBI machine and got into the Hall largely because of that. So much for overrated. The crux of my argument is that it is runs that count, not SIMPLY getting on base. Rickey was a run scoring machine, thus the lack of RBI’s on his part is insignificant (he was a leadoff hitter, not a 3,4,5 hitter). A 3,4,5 hitter is there to drive in runs! Oh by the way, your boy Jack got on base 5 times last night and neither scored nor drove in a run. Great OBP, no real contribution to the winning effort. At the end of the game, the scoreboard said A’s 8 Red Sox 6, there was no mention of how many times anyone got on base. RUNS MATTER.
by Keystone State on Jul 30, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand how you can say runs matter,
but getting on base doesn’t. YOU HAVE TO GET ON BASE TO SCORA A RUN. Also, it’s been noted about 3248929384 billion times on this site that Cust is more of a 2 hitter than a 3, 4, or 5 hitter.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 30, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never said getting on base doesn't matter....
what I am saying is that Jack Cust getting on base when he has runners in scoring position and hitting 3,4, or 5 in the batting order does not make him very valuable to the team if he is not able to drive in runs rather than walking in those situations. He IS NOT really a #2 type hitter, that is typically a guy who handles the bat well and is able to move runners up and makes a lot of contact… exactly the kind of hitter Cust is not!!! There isn’t a team in baseball that would want to install Jack Cust as their regular #2 hitter, that type of hitter in the #2 hole would have Billy Martin rolling over in his grave.
by Keystone State on Jul 30, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok,
first of all, Cust is hitting pretty decently in RISP positions in his career. Batting .266 for his career with and OPS of .905, and batting .288 this year.
He does walk a lot in those situations, and while this isn’t ideal, it still helps the odds of the team scoring more runs. Check out any runs matrix to variry this.
And Jack Cust is an amazing #2 hitter. He gets on base, doesn’t GIDP a lot (which is important, because with a good leadoff hitter, there will be lots of 0 out runner on first situations), and has power. Don’t be too quick to assume the classic ideal for a #2 hitter is correct.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 30, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your head asplode.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on Jul 28, 2009 1:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The TRUTH is......
If Carter and Doolittle can play good enough D to stay at 3rd and 1st resectively, then that leaves DH open for Cust and Everidge. If Everidge is Mashing, Cust is gone, although that seems like a nice L/R combo at DH.
S&BP > Mile High Mules
by 0akFoSho on Jul 28, 2009 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Carter does not play good enough D to stay at 3B
But he has improved at 1B
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jul 28, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In 2011 Jack Cust will be living with me
And we’ll have this little in-joke that goes something like this:
Jack: Hey, toss me another beer, will you?
Me: sure thing.
Reaches down to cooler, grabs beer tosses it over to Jack
Beer is slighty to the right of Cust, he looks and lets it sail past without making an attempt to catch it.
We laugh like drains.
by bobnothing on Jul 28, 2009 3:10 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
:-)
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
by micdog2001 on Jul 28, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
all that tells me is that
bobnothing can’t throw a strike.
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 29, 2009 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A nit to pick
In no way shape or form is Bobby Crosby a average Major League player. He is one of the worst players I’ve had the displeasure to watch in going on 30 years as a A’s fan.
As far as Cust i know he has his fans I’m not one of them but right now I don’t see many better options. To me Cust represents this 3 year stench uh I mean stretch of A’s baseball that’s been both boring and unsuccessful.
I don’t like one dimensional ballplayers and that is the only way to describe Cust who can’t field,run or hit for any sort of average. He runs into about 25 mistake pitches a year for a homerun and that’s about it.
This team has little pop so for right now Cust serves his purpose although I do hope we never have to see him in the field again as watching him field should be against the Geneva Convention rules.
by sirbed on Jul 28, 2009 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Crosby is average at SS
His hitting is below average, homerun below, RBI below. He is a AAA utility player. There are dozens of Crosbys in AAA.
by Arcman on Jul 28, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You nailed it with this statement!
“He runs into about 25 mistake pitches a year for a homerun and that’s about it.” Perfectly stated.
by sf drift king on Jul 29, 2009 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is more than Crosby runs into (and anyone else on the team for that matter)
and I would say walking 100 times (not going to happen this year but we’re talking about his total years with the A’s) is more than “thats about it”.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
by micdog2001 on Jul 29, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Streaky" is exactly why I think it makes sense to keep Cust.
Let’s back up a bit. Last summer, Paul Thomas started beating the drum for Russell Branyan, recommending that the A’s sign him. The Mariners signed him instead and Branyan has been one of the best signings of the year. Many people on this blog have given PT a lot of credit for spotting that.
So how did Paul know this? Does he just have a magic crystal ball that tells him what player is going to have a good year?
No, he recognized a pattern, and developed a logical argument from it. He noticed that hitters of a certain profile (the TTO profile, more or less) tend to be streaky. These players are best judged on a horizon which is longer than how we instinctively judge players. Therefore, if you find a player of this profile who has good numbers over the last couple years but is in a deep slump right now, there’s a good chance that he is undervalued and you can pick him up cheap. Paul looked at the numbers and found that Branyan fit that description, and that is why he recommended signing Branyan.
So who will be the Branyan of 2010? Well, I’m not the stats junkie that many others here are, so I don’t know the whole field, but I see two good candidates. One is Aubrey Huff, and the other is … Jack Cust. So, following PT’s Russell Branyan logic, I say the A’s should go out and try to get one of these guys. … Oh wait, we already have him.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Jul 28, 2009 4:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
PaulThomas for GM!! Fire Beane now!!!!!!!!111
They say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing all the time!
by muffinpryde on Jul 28, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't nominate PT
for chief of a one man tribe.
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 29, 2009 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's interesting to look at players like Cust, Branyan etc.
and notice that a lot of those guys take a while to develop, but eventually turn into servicable big leaguers. Cust, Branyan, Pena, Ludwick, Chris Duncan (kinda), Cruz (kinda) all took a while to develop. I wonder if there’s a reason behind that.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Jul 28, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
duncan isn't quite there
cruz is there
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
by flipgatey3 on Jul 29, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if this is the best argument
but it is definitely my favorite and the one I’ll choose to believe. Go Cust! Go 2010 As!
Of course, please just take his glove away now. DH only. Make us all happy, an dprobably him, too. He can’t be having any fun out there.
by paris7 on Jul 31, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also,
even in a down year, Cust still has an OPS+ of 99. That’s not great, especially for a guy with no defense, but it’s not nearly as bad as some people here are making it out to be. He’s not Bobby Crosby bad, that’s for sure.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Jul 28, 2009 4:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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