Phillies to sign Jack Cust, potential bench bat

According to Todd Zolecki, the Phillies are going to sign DH/OF Jack Cust to a minor league deal. Cust, a 10 year journeyman who has played for 6 different teams, is a big lefty bat that can hit homers and draw walks. While he has never hit for average in his career, strikes out too much and doesn't have a position on the field, he is the perfect pinch hitter in a close game against a right handed pitcher.



Consider Cust the 2011 version of Matt Stairs. The Phillies will certainly continue to scour the league for other options to use off the bench in the postseason but Cust might be the perfect fit. If he even hits one home run in a pinch hit situation in October, Cust will be worth every penny.