Stop criticizing Jack Cust
I'm tired of hearing people complain about Jack Cust.
I was at the game Wednesday, and one insufferable fan behind me insisted on airing his discontent with every member of our organization, including the legitimate bright spots (Billy Beane, Brett Anderson, etc.). In particular he wouldn't stop whaling on Cust and his strikeouts.
Here's why it bothers me: through all of his strikeouts and bad defense, Jack Cust is still a productive member of our team, and a bargain at $2.5 M. It gets overlooked all too often.
Is Cust a flawed player? Absolutely. But he also posts the highest OPS on our team by a lot, and his contract is really quite modest. Via FanGraphs, consider that Cust has already posted 1.6 Wins Above Replacement this year, which is "worth" $6.3 M - meaning he's already given us $3.8 M more in production than what we're paying him for the year. That makes him a valuable commodity, people!
Our team has plenty of legitimate weaknesses to criticize, but Jack Cust is not one of them. Stop complaining about him.
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Damn right
Plus all 8 votes so far have been in favor of Cust so that’s gotta count for something right?
Plus there’s the fact that he’s able to beat out walkoff infiend singles.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
Obviously, you should've turned around and politely explained
that Cust has already more than earned his salary and more if you look at his WAR and compare it to similar players. I’m sure he would’ve been more than reasonable.
by Jimmy McSquiggins on Aug 5, 2010 2:12 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I did...
… actually tell the guy to stop being so negative, though he clearly wasn’t the type who was going to hear me out on actual reasons why. Instead he was butt-hurt the rest of the game about me calling him negative (which thankfully was only 4 total outs).
In some ways this guy was hilarious. He was seriously offended that our small-budget team of anonymous guys isn’t running away with the division. Hello! Do you know what it means to be an A’s fan at all? With our roster, I’m impressed we’re as competitive as we are!
I stand next to these imbeciles in line at the stadium,
and they get on my damn nerves with their unrelentless whining and complaining about Beane, Wolf, Cust -striking out, everything abt the organization you can think of. If u hate the product so damn much, go root for the Gnats, is what I would tell em.. and don’t let the door knob hit you on your way out!
I b*tch abt Cust from time to time as well but I also recognize the value he brings to the team. I also like the way you worded the poll question. I can’t wait to read the comments and reasoning from the poster’s who voted NO.
by sf drift king on Aug 5, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Clarification
This isn’t to say that all of our guys suck, or that we can’t surprise people ‘2010 San Diego’ style. But to act shocked that a team with so little offense isn’t dominating and then use that as justification for rampant negativity is beyond hilarious.
His exact quote, as I remember it:
“This isn’t negative, this is honest! We’re 8 games out of first!”
Well duh. But wth were you expecting?
Cust's A Big Part Of The Team
I understand why people would complain about him to to his tendency to strike out, as well as his lackluster defense, but he still is a power hitter. Acknowledging all his flaws, I think Cust is an important player on the A’s squad. Taking in the fact that he only has 185 AB’s, he leads the team in SLG%(.476) and OBP%(.406), as well as OPS%(.882). Plus, he is fairly intimidating at the plate, due to the fact that he can now get on base consistently, as well pound a pitch to his liking.
by Oakland All-Star on Aug 5, 2010 5:04 AM PDT reply actions
LEAVE JACK CUST ALONE!
*WARNING!* Playing online multiplayer games may change your: Religion, Sexual Orientation, Race and/or Gender for undetermined periods of time.
Lol
That was bizarre.
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
Where'd you sit, Ken?
I was in 127, second row. There was a guy a few rows behind me that matches that description.
127
Yes, I was section 127!
I was in row 5; this guy must have been in row 7. Honestly, I don’t know who this guy thinks he is, but if he subjected himself to the same type of scrutiny he seems to feel entitled judging big league ballplayers with… I’d love to hear what people would say.
Yea, really.
The lady directly behind me wanted to get up and tell him to stuff it. I don’t think she did, but I also left for awhile to go visit Feeba and 67M.
by LoneStranger on Aug 5, 2010 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
Jack Cust is a valuable member of this team in it’s present context. His OBP is over .400 so he’s doing his part. I don’t like all the K’s of late, especially the many of them that are looking. He had done such a good job of getting away from that but overall he is certainly doing his part.
I do take issue with the fact that Beane is a legitimate bright spot. Sorry but we have to disagree on that one and that’s been hashed over quite a bit of late so we won’t go there.
He's struck out 18 times in the last 9 games with a 572 OPS
He went from being superhuman to completely awful in a heartbeat. Luckily thats just how he is.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I just found a 9 game stretch
from this season where Pujols OPSed .578 (triple slash = 167/278/300). Sure, he didn’t strike out as many times, but that probably means he hit into more double plays.
Anyway, the point is that this stuff is normal. Fluctuations happen. That is definitely not an argument against Jack Cust.
Leave Albert Alone!
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 6, 2010 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
My only major complaint is Geren
If you mean Billy’s seemingly excessive patience with Bob Geren as manager, I’ll give you that.
Otherwise, I don’t think you can blame him for the offensive struggles of the team. He tried signing Furcal, Beltre, and Scutaro the past 2 yrs, even made great offers, but they all declined – probably in large part because of our park and lack of aura.
Sure, he’s made some mistakes over the years. Chavez turned out to be a major bust on his contract, but that signing actually made a lot of sense at the time; there was no way to know Chavy would turn into a vegetable. Also I hated the Matt Holliday trades; I love Street and I thought Gonzalez was going to get better.
But Billy is still doing his darnedest to keep the team competitive on its small budget. I know we haven’t had a winning season since 2007, and that frustrates me too, but imagine if we had someone like Brian Sabean at the helm; 76-86 in a year would feel like a miracle!
last winning season was in 06
we’re in agreement with Billy.
by sf drift king on Aug 5, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm currently working on a fanpost titled
Stop Making Fanposts About Jack Cust!
It’s quite ironic.
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
Why not just do the right thing
and post your own fanpost above it in support of Jack Cust fanposts?
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
Then I wil make a fan post
complaining about how many Jack Cust Fanposts there are. Then I will make one about how awesome CarGo is….
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
But don't forget
The trilogy about Crosby and how we should have re-signed him
100% Athletics, 100% Baseball. 2009 Athletics, 40% Baseball.
What's wrong with him booing Cust?
He has all the right to do so, specially if he sucked in the game he’s watching.
Yes, he has been our best batter, by far, but he did suck that game (0-4 3 Ks)
I wouldn’t boo Cust, but I can understand the fans discontent, after all, he payed for his ticket and has all the right to boo
Wasn't just Cust
Sure, he can boo a player for putting in a poor performance.
But it wasn’t just Cust. He started dogging Anderson in the 1st inning after walking the first batter, then kept at it the entire half inning. When Kouzmanoff dropped the foul pop that really wasn’t all that elementary, given the sun, he waited until Aviles made a routine play at 3rd to say “Hey Kouz, see how he caught the ball?” He got on Breslow, too, after he gave up the HR, even though Breslow’s been one of our most dependable bullpen arms all year.
Yes, guys made mistakes, and he has a right to feel frustrated by them. But there was no reason for that much negativity.
I hate sitting near people who just go to complain about their team's players the whole game
Sounds like this is more about that than Cust alone.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Exactly: He paid for his ticket and has all the right to boo
Could you please explain this to the San Francisco Opera, where I am now banned for life?
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
Nico: For real, did this actually happen?
If it did you deserve major props.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 5, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
No, but give me a week.
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
Probably didn't appreciate you pointing out
that the lady was -0.6 Arias Above Replacement.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Truthfully, I could have done it without shouting in the middle of the first act
But I didn’t want to.
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
San Francisco has an opera?
Is it any good?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 5, 2010 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
You need to go to La Scala or La Finice
They boo there all the time. It’s an operatic tradition!
They didn't appreciate me attempting to start "the wave", either.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
I don't appreciate that at baseball games either... its for football
The team needs good hitters. Whether or not they're power hitters is irrelevent. - lenscrafters and many others.
by designatedforassignment on Aug 5, 2010 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions
All joking aside...
…neither do I. I detest “the wave”.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
i love live dot racing if they get to like push eachother out of the way
or the original 8 bit is an ok substitute but the 3d video game thing is terrible.
The team needs good hitters. Whether or not they're power hitters is irrelevent. - lenscrafters and many others.
by designatedforassignment on Aug 5, 2010 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
The way they treat the dots is just unfortunate.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
I've written the Opera company about that.
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
I can't watch his at bats
It’s painful to watch that guy at the plate. You can throw all the statistics you want on this site, but the bottom line is that no one wanted Cust this year, and he has no trade value.
Is he of value on a team with the 25th lowest run production, 29th lowest home run production, and 26th lowest slugging percentage? Undoubtedly yes. I still can’t watch his at bats.
Don’t get me wrong. I like watching this team quite a bit, much more than last year that’s for sure. But Cust? I have to turn my head or pull out a newspaper whenever he comes to the plate (or whenever a fly ball comes his way on the rare occasions that he plays the outfield). He can drive the ball, yes. But most of the time, he looks just plain awful.
Just curious: The fully 40% of the time he successfully reaches base,
is it painful to watch? Why?
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
I guess he’s just used to our players not reaching base and thinks that’s how baseball works.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 5, 2010 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Because, like Ozzie Guillen once said
“our offense is terrible, we hit too many home runs”
dude clearly subscribes to that line of logic & reason.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Someone remembers my sig!
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Aug 7, 2010 12:32 AM PDT up reply actions
He's supposed to drive in runs
That’s his job as a DH. Instead, he’s turned himself into a slow footed lead-off-type hitter. On this team, that’s an asset. On contending teams, he’d be a liability.
Ya
How dare he not make his team mates get on base before him! He is so bad because Coco is hitting .250ish!Damn. RBI’s dont mean shit when looking at how good a hitter is. I thought that was common knowledge around here.
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
Who else wants him?
Cust can’t run. He can’t field. He looks dreadful against lefties. And you couldn’t trade him for squat.
He’s a specialist, kind of like a left-handed pitcher you need for one or two key outs. He has value on a team that is offensively poor, like the A’s.
I'm pretty sure he is top 3 of DHs in ops
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
by robbo650 on Aug 5, 2010 7:06 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
The appropriate way to watch a Cust at-bat is...
…to cover one’s eyes with their hands, and peek through the fingers. Because you know it’s either going to turn out ok or be horribly ugly.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
"You can throw all the statistics you want on this site, but the bottom line is that no one wanted Cust this year, and he has no trade value."
BOTTOM LINE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
He seems to have quite a bit of tirade value.
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 Aug 5, 2010 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
seriously? Cust is painful to watch??
Cust takes pitches and works the count. He by far takes the most pitches on the team. He has a keen eye and although he does k a lot, he also gets on base a lot. What bugs me is a player who swings at the first pitch <cough, kouz, cough> to a lazy ground out. That to me is painful to watch.
by sf drift king on Aug 5, 2010 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Problem is, as much as I hate some of the first pitch outs Kouzmanoff makes in situations that warrant some patience...
…he has good numbers first-pitch swinging.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
he's been doing it lately
so he was fresh on my mind.
by sf drift king on Aug 5, 2010 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Cust was doing pretty well swinging early
up until a few weeks ago.
Up and down like all hitters.
I don’t mind Kouz swinging as he always has and always will. You know what you get with him
Most players do
(since they only swing first pitch if it’s the pitch they were looking for)
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
And don't forget that fact that if they swing and miss it doesn't count against them
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Hear hear!
Particularly when the opposing pitcher has not shown to be “on” that day, meaning you’d better swing if you get something good to hit, first pitch or whenever.
Most of the time that is not the case, so most of the time swinging at the first pitch (unless you’ve set up the guy over the course of the game) is indeed painful to watch.
by supersugarCrisp on Aug 6, 2010 1:21 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm gonna make a new fanpost: Start criticizing the Matts
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
Eh. They shouldn't really be here anyway. Not their fault the A's employ people who can't stay healthy.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Stop criticizing my fanpost.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
Wait, criticize Matt, sure...but Matt?????
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
It would be cool if everyone on the team were named Matt
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 5, 2010 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Just wait until Matt Carter and Matt Taylor get here.
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
I heard Matt Matthews Jr. was available
100% Athletics, 100% Baseball. 2009 Athletics, 40% Baseball.
Stop romanticizing Jack Cust
All this talk of a great power hitter, he has hit >30 homers only once. On a good team he is a bench player at best. On the Yankees, he’s an accounting error.
Actually, on the Yankees
he’s Nick Johnson, only healthy.
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
I used to say Cust would be on 90% of AL teams, because he cant field well and is a DH
but then I saw the Giants have Pat Burrell in LF right now, so I better expand that to all MLB teams.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
1 game out of 1st place, gents!
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
defense is overrated????
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
you just need a lot of FIP
100% Athletics, 100% Baseball. 2009 Athletics, 40% Baseball.
Ya but they're in the NL west. And we all know the NL six
If they were in the AL West they would only be in….. Nevermind
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
by robbo650 on Aug 5, 2010 7:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Unrealistic expectations
People hold unrealistically high expectations for Cust because he’s supposed to be our token “power hitter.” It’s like he’s supposed to hit 150 HRs in a season to pick up everyone else’s slack.
People love to complain, but honestly, if Cust were nearly as good as they want him to be, he’d be Prince Fielder and completely unaffordable. Don’t complain about he does give.
Ok, I'll bite.
Look at Cust’s stats this year, and tell me he isn’t a damn valuable player.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
I'd love to be an accounting error on the Yankees.
Where do I sign up for that job?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
As long as we can keep criticizing...
the Book of Barton Bunting. It’s not like our offense can afford to give away outs with one of our best hitters.
I'm a lucky man
So many threads about my Favorite Baseball Player.
Jack, you are the best.
I think we have enough to start
SPARTACUST – An SB Nation blog for Jack Cust fans (and haters)
100% Athletics, 100% Baseball. 2009 Athletics, 40% Baseball.
I know it is wishful thinking,
but I sometimes wish Jack had two approaches to hitting…the one we all know (and love); and another one when there runners on in scoring position, 0 or 1 out, and 2 strikes, and he could swing to MAKE CONTACT, not his super duper, all out, upper cut, let it all hang out, swing!!
He does have both those
But like most hitters, he’s only good at one of them.
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
Agreed
He is an asset to the team for sure, but the strike out looking/super duper upper cut in those situations is annoying. Have to take the good with the bad though, he’s that type of player I suppose.
Gas to Chicago- $23.87 A's/White Sox Tix- $28 Watching the A's whipping the Sox in July 05'- Priceless
Jack Cust is gracious, nice, humble and awesome
Nico, Wes7, Giggs and myself met him and his wife last night at Breslow’s event. I cannot even begin to tell you how awesomely nice he was.
That being said, when I asked him how to account for the increased avg. and line drive hitting he said he had no clue :)
In our system, I think Jack works, and stats aside, I hope we sign him next year.
AN: We is all growed up now.
He also seems shorter in person.
And I agree, he was very friendly and down-to-earth. Same with Landon Powell and Jerry Blevins.
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
did anyone ask powell if he can start 120 games when DFA writes a trade Suzuki thread?
The team needs good hitters. Whether or not they're power hitters is irrelevent. - lenscrafters and many others.
by designatedforassignment on Aug 5, 2010 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Did you just go Rickey on us DFA?
AN: We is all growed up now.
by OptimistPrime on Aug 5, 2010 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions
lol no I was using third person because you would be the one asking
The team needs good hitters. Whether or not they're power hitters is irrelevent. - lenscrafters and many others.
by designatedforassignment on Aug 6, 2010 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
lol no I was using third person because you would be the one asking
The team needs good hitters. Whether or not they're power hitters is irrelevent. - lenscrafters and many others.
by designatedforassignment on Aug 6, 2010 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I was wondering what that event was like
Someone going to post about it?
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I had planned to go to that
but got sidetracked by the whole prop 8 surprise ruling. Did you guys meet Jeff Ma, the MIT card counter? Breslowe and he was on Chron Live one night.
by sf drift king on Aug 5, 2010 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I was going to but will tomorrow, the whole moneyball thing kinda f'd it up
Highlight of the night was meeting Phil Helmuth
AN: We is all growed up now.
by OptimistPrime on Aug 5, 2010 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
If Cust had protection in the lineup....
….he’d be even more valuable to this team. Sort of like Chavez was back in the day. When Chavy had the likes of Giambi and Tejada (even Jaha and Stairs!) around him, he was a much more productive hitter than when he was slotted into the fourth spot in the mid 2000’s and was being counted on to be “the guy”.
With that in mind, does Cust get signed next year? There have been endless posts about Carter and Taylor, but assuming both make the team next year and at least come close to their potential, an Outfield / DH / 1B rotation like this doesn’t sound too bad: Jackson, Davis (please stop criticizing him as well at this point), Taylor, Sweeney, Cust, Barton, Carter. Cust surrounded by Taylor and Carter would seemingly create an intriguing middle of the line up. On paper at least.
Oh, but for any of this to be even worth considering, Geren has got to go.
You won me over with your last sentence
Please marry me.
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
What'll Cindi say?
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
At the moment, whatever will irritate Lori
or will give Sandi an eating disorder.
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
In a good hitting lineup which we of course do not have
Cust would be hitting 5th or 6th which would be fine with his good OBP. He is not a 3 or 4 hitter and never will be IMO.
I don’t think he’s back next year if the youngsters progress as expected.
Carter = Cust at best
Everyone’s so quick to usher Cust out in favor of Carter, but guess what? Chris Carter is exactly the same, just right-handed. K, BB, or HR.
But how much do you want to bet Chris Carter gets a “pass” from the fans, even in subsequent years? Life’s not fair, is it Jack?
I think Chris Carter is a lot more talented than Jack Cust ever was
and ever will be.
If he’s Cust at best then there are going to be some unhappy fans out there.
We don’t know how Carter is going to turn out but don’t sell him so short and comparing him to Cust is selling him short. He’s going to K a lot so what. He’s a lot younger than Cust and will not spend 100 years in minors before coming up.
I do think people might be selling short
Carter’s ability to hit for average. He will always strike out a lot, but it’s not clear that he’ll hit for a low average with most of his hits being HRs.
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
It would be pretty funny if Carter was 107 years old at AAA, and still needed more seasoning
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 6, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
This sooo reads like it was written by Jack Cust's agent
lol
To answer your poll question, as a DH-only if he has less then a .200 ISO I would vote no, because he is moderately easily replaced. I’m not believing this year’s OBP because he has a .414 BABIP hot streak going.
I love him a lot because he WANTS to play for us, but if you mean valuable as in a key member of the team, I say no.
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Not so easily replaced at same price
Yes, Cust’s skills are not that hard to replace. But everyone forgets just how modest his contract is. How many guys would do it for $2.5 M?
Someone who other teams didn't want.
When half the other teams can’t use you, as they don’t have your (true) position (and you’ve just had a bad year), your options are kinda limited.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Cust and like having him on the A’s, but as a resource he’s pretty common and plentiful every winter.
This winter should tell us a lot, as he should get a raise – with guys like Konerko etc out there for possibly a similar price, will Jack get traded?
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Not only does Jack consistently get on base
He’s possibly one of three A’s in the past four years to stay off the fracking DL!
I'd sign Cust toDH again next year too...
2011- Carter in LF and Taylor in RF~
Buck, Davis, Sweeney, & Conor Jackson can fight out CF and 4th OF spot!
I’m sure that injuries will settle the dispute in the OF.
LEAVE CUSTY alone
Every man for himself...

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