Earlier today, the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a minor-league contract with LF/DH Jack Cust pending a physical. He was released by Seattle on August 4th, batting .213 on the season with 3 homeruns. He’s not the best contact hitter, but he’s a power-threat and can provide that late-inning spark off the bench that the Phillies have lacked since Matt Stairs. Cust bounced around the MLB since entering the big leagues in 2001 with 6 different ball clubs, but never really got a chance to prove himself till his 4-year stint with Oakland that started in 2006. He averaged 24 HRs a season with the A’s, but had his fair share of strikeouts.
This signing is a low-risk, high-reward since the Phillies could use the long-ball off the bench in late innings. With the rosters expanding soon and Ross Gload arguably being their best pinch-hitter with power off the bench, it doesn’t hurt to take a risk with Jack Cust. If he tears the cover off the ball at Lehigh Valley, fans will see him in the red ...
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