As we wait out Russell Branyan and look into signing Nick Johnson or trading for Andre Ethier, the Oakland Athletics may have done us a big favor.
They non-tendered Jack Cust.
His production slipped a little last year, which is a cause for alarm. He wasn't driving the ball like he had done before, as most of his flyballs found outfielders' gloves rather than one of a twelve year old in the right field stands.
He still walks at a high rate (about 18% on his career) and still can give you decent DH production almost everyday (has played in 148,149 games in the last two years respectively). Not to mention his slip in production, still amounted to 25 homers and 16 doubles.
Don't think his signing will take playing time away from Griffey, as Griffey wasn't expected to get much anyway.
I have no idea what it will take to get Cust, but it has to less than Nick Johnson. Not to mention Cust will be on the field more than Johnson.
If nothing else, we can stick it to the Angels and A's in the same offseason.
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