Kurt Suzuki is not the kind of player that you build a franchise around but he is a very solid baseball player. He is a good defensive catcher and he is a above average hitter for the position. He has played in 363 games in his career with the A’s and he is 357 for 1,313 (.272 avg, .727 OPS) with 155 runs scored, 29 homers, 169 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. The A’s need to add more offense in the off-season as Suzuki is not really a top of the order hitter.

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.

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.

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.