The A’s have a tough decision to make on 30-year old lefty swinging DH/OF Jack Cust. Cust is likely do for a raise and the A’s have to determine if he’s worth it. With Cust being a “Moneyball” type of player that leads me to think that the A’s will bring him back as long as the price tag isn’t too high. Cust has played in 144 games for the A’s so far this season and he is 120 for 497 (.241 avg, .780 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 24 homers and 69 RBIs. Cust has now played in 416 games in three seasons for the A’s in which he is 332 for 1,373 (.242 avg, .843 OPS) with 224 runs scored, 83 homers and 228 RBIs. Cust is patient at the plate as he has walked 309 times in his time with the A’s but he has also whiffed a stunning 539 times. In the end I think the A’s will bring back Cust for the 2010 season.

23-year old righty swinging outfielder Aaron Cunningham came into this season as the #4 rated prospect in the A’s minor league system according to Baseball America. Cunningham showed why in AAA-ball as he played in 83 games in which he was 101 for 334 (.302 avg, .851 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 11 homers, 48 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. But when the A’s called him up due to the team having issues in the outfield he failed to respond to the challenge earning a trip back to the minors. Cunningham has played in 23 games for the A’s this season and he is 8 for 53 (.151 avg, .456 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. He also has whiffed 16 times for the A’s often looking overmatched. Maybe after a winter off Cunningham will come in focused for the 2010 season.

When the A’s acquired 24-year old lefty swinging 1B Daric Barton from the Cardinals they expected him to be their firstbaseman for a long, long time. They expected him to be a high average hitter with below average power for a 1B. But, he has not played up to his ability yet. He has played in 42 games for the A’s this season and he is 29 for 117 (.248 avg, .764 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 3 homers and 13 RBIs. Barton has now played in 200 games in his three years with the A’s and he is 155 for 635 (.244 avg, .736 OPS) with 100 runs scored, 16 homers and 68 RBIs. He better step up soon in Oakland or he won’t be there anymore.

24-year old Ryan Sweeney is having another solid season in CF for the A’s. He has played in 128 games for the A’s this season and he is 132 for 458 (.288 avg, .748 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 6 homers, 51 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Sweeney might have to battle Rajai Davis for his starting job in CF next season if the A’s have other guys to start in LF and RF. So, Sweeney better finish this season strong.

Andy Kennedy has played well for the A’s at both 2B and 3B. He has played in 118 games for the A’s this season and he is 143 for 492 (.291 avg, .765 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. The A’s should consider bringing Kennedy back next season as they have a hole at 3B. Even if they bring in someone to play 3B they should consider bringing Kennedy back as a utility man as he can play almost anywhere in the field.

The A’s have shut down righty starting pitchers Brett Tomko and Vin Mazzaro for the remainder of the season. The 36-year old Tomko has some nerve damage in his pitching arm. That’s a shame as he has looked sharp for the A’s this season. He started 6 games for the A’s and he was 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. The A’s might re-sign Tomko if the price is right. 22-year old Vin Mazzaro has been shut down with a tired shoulder. Mazzaro started 17 games for the A’s this season and he was 4-9 with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. The rookie allowed 120 hits (12 homers) in only 91 1/3 innings for the A’s so he must learn soon on how to start missing some bats.

Cliff Pennington took over as the starting shortstop for the A’s after they traded Orlando Cabrera to the Twins. Pennington is proving that he can handle the job. He has played in 42 games for the A’s this season and he is 42 for 146 (.288 avg, .792 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. If Pennington finishes the season strong he will likely be the starting shortstop for the A’s when the 2010 season begins.

Scott Hairston had the look of a “Moneyball” player with the Padres and that’s why the A’s traded for him. But, Hairston is looking like nothing more than a backup outfielder with the A’s so far. Hairston has played in 54 games for the A’s this season and he is 51 for 215 (.237 avg, .661 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 7 homers, 32 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. If he doesn’t finish the season strong the A’s won’t be able to depend on him for the 2010 season.

The A’s have claimed 25-year old righty reliever Jon Meloan off waivers from the Pirates. Meloan has pitched in 41 games (2 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he was 0-0 with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He has whiffed 60 batters in the minors this season in 65 innings showing that he has a good arm. Meloan was the Indians’ #18 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Meloan has also pitched in 7 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-0 with a 8.68 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. He has appeared a tad nervous in the majors walking 9 batters in 9 1/3 innings, but he has struck out 9 batters too. This was a good low risk gamble by the A’s as Meloan does have a nice upside.