A’s Recall Cust From Triple-A

According the official Oakland Athletics website, the A’s have recalled slugger Jack Cust from Triple-A Sacramento. The A’s hope that Cust can provide some much needed power, and Cust appears extremely happy to help out. The question now becomes: who will be the everyday DH for the A’s? Will the position belong to Eric Chavez, or is the calling up of Cust a signal that the A’s have finally given up on Chavez? Chavez, who is hitting .247 this season with one home run and 9 RBIs, is expected to start tonight against Angels RHP Ervin Santana.

Earlier this week, however, A’s GM Billy Beane, suggested that the A’s will continue to roll with Chavez at DH. He cites that Chavez has stayed healthy and will be given a chance to provide on offense. Despite Beane’s reassuring words, however, I don’t see the A’s sticking Cust out in the outfield while Chavez tries to regain his power stroke. Cust would be a big liability in the OF, and simply does not fit in the A’s new approach on defense. Initially the A’s could have Cust play the field and share time at DH with Chavez (something they did not want to do), but in the long-term, I think Cust will eventually reclaim the everyday DH position.

Notes: Prior to his call-up, Cust was hitting .273 with four homers and an .881 OPS in 33 games with Sacramento. Eric Chavez, who has sat out the past two games, will start against the RHP Ervin Santana. Chavez is just 1-for-9 against lefties this year. Lifetime against Santana, Chavez owns a .320 average in 25 at-bats.