Phillies To Sign Jack Cust

The Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with outfielder Jack Cust today, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

Cust, 32, was released by the Mariners earlier this summer after struggling with 69 games primarily as the club's designated hitter. The Phillies have long been searching for a quality pinch-hitter off the bench, they've been using Ross Gload and John Mayberry Jr. in this role for most the season, and they had nearly filled it last month with a trade for Jason Giambi. The younger Cust hasn't hit as well as Giambi lately, but he does offer similar power/patience potential.

Cust hasn't hit much this season, but from 2007 through 2010, Cust hit a combined .247/.381/.457 with an average of 24 homers and 94 walks each season. That's good for a 125 OPS+; pretty much every team can use that kind of bat in some role, although obviously we haven't seen that Jack Cust yet this year.