It’s official: Designated Hitter, Jack Cust, is now a Mariner
Things could not have been clearer than they were a week ago. The Oakland Athletics were looking to offload their designated hitter and it was believed the Seattle Mariners were the team poking around for his services. Much to
the satisfaction of the fans, the news is now official; Jack Cust is a Mariner. The 31-year-old player had been speculated to make a switch, but no confirmation came on the move when the two clubs held talks.
However, after spending 4 years with the A’s, Cust has finally been given a new challenge. The ball star signed a 2.5 million contract after passing a medical exam. The Mariners have agreed to give the player a year to make an
impact. It is yet to be seen whether he will become one of their top commodities in the coming days. He, along with Miguel Olivo, is not part of a bigger organization and it is to be seen how the two fit into the roster.
Cust was not up to his best, last season. He averaged .272 with the bat and tagged on 13 home runs in 112 features. He drove in 52 RBIs (Runs Batted In) as well. The top man in the line up was critical to the A’s attack in the
years leading from 2007 to 2009, but he lost his composure last season. However, the player is known to draw on a good number of walks from pitchers and his on base percentage .378 seems to intrigue Mariners’ General Manager, Jack Zduriencik.
"We were looking obviously for something to help our offense. Jack fit the bill," Jack Zduriencik said.
"He's a guy with power; a left-handed hitter that we think will play well in Safeco Field. He's a guy that's been durable and we really like his plate discipline.
Jack talked about his last season and his record of hitting in Seattle.
"Obviously any hitter wants to hit in little bandbox. That's on everyone's wish list,"
Cust said earlier this week when the Mariners signed him on with an agreement.
"But I hit 25-30 home runs in Oakland every year until last year. Hitting home runs is never a problem for me on any field."
If Cust is able to do more damage in the Mariners’ line up, next season, his long term contract could come up for discussion and that will be something he may want to avail after the 2011 season
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