Of course, there's also the issue that Cust isn't just a DH the way Thomas is. He may not play a pretty LF, but at least he owns a glove. I'd love to see Frank Thoams on the team replacing Mike Sweeney, playing exactly the same role, but I'm not sure Thomas wants 2/3-time play on a non-contender. (But does Thomas make the A's a contender in a weak West?)

Also, Crab Man? I'm assuming this is an Earl reference, but I don't get it.

https://catfishstew.baseballtoaster.com/archives/803055.html

Anyhoo... at least they're getting shorter, so there is that.

It's interesting to see how poorly, if healthy, one can perform and not be benched or dropped in the batting lineup.

I understand that lineup construction doesn't have that much bearing on run production, however KKKKKust has an astounding 24K's in 54AB's, at some point the ball needs to put in play. And it's not like we don't have another option for DH. Sweeney, M. has been hitting when given the opportunity.

I'd love the A's to sign Bonds. It won't happen because the A's braintrust are a bunch of cowards, but I'd still love to see it.

If it's Mike, and Thomas is heading back to Oakland, the future is now apparently.

A's claimed Rajai Davis off of waivers, which I bet means Buck is heading to the DL.

Saarloos was DFA'd and Braden was recalled.

And poor Dan Johnson, waived, claimed and cut already.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.aspx?sport=MLB

On the flip side of that coin, Thomas has shown a strong Isolated Power and Isolated Discipline, and you would expect his numbers to improve significantly as his BABIP regresses.

Personally, I would like to see the A's sign both Thomas and Bonds and throw outfield defense completely to the wind with a Cust-RSweeney/Denorfia-Bonds OF. It'll hurt out pitching a bit, but we are in serious need of some offense right now.

My friend used to work for the Rivercats and apparently Braden is a klepto.

Cust was a great story, but I think it's ended.

Our defense is horrible anyway, especially along the corners. Unfortunately we have bad defense (though the rumor is Wash is about to be canned in Texas can he come back to help with Jack H and Daric B) with no pop. Worst of both worlds.

but bp has this to say about Cust:

*Is the Jack Cust Era already over? Cust's problems making contact limit his value as is, and those problems have actually gotten worse this season—he's striking out in 44 percent of his at-bats, up a couple of ticks from 42 percent last season. To survive at that rate, you have to hit almost .400 when not striking out and hit for power as well. Whereas last season Cust hit an unsustainable .437 on contact with 45 extra-base hits and an isolated power of .248, this year those figures are .267, three, and .093. Given that Cust brings absolutely nothing to the table but walks and power, it won't take long for him to play himself out of the league at this rate.

It's instructive to contrast Cust to Ryan Howard, a similar player in type. Even last season, setting the MLB record for strikeouts, Howard whiffed in 38 percent of his at-bats. He also hit a spectacular .426 on contact, but he'd established himself at that level, with a career mark of .444 prior to last season. The combination enables Howard to hit for a high enough average to buoy the rest of his game. It seems that the outer limits of an acceptable strikeout rate is around 38 percent of any one player's at-bats. Any more than that, and the strikeouts eat your career. Cust is about to get munched.*

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7414