Jason Giambi Closing In On A Deal With the Oakland A's

The Oakland Athletics are on the verge of signing former fan favorite first baseman not primarily a Designated Hitter Jason Giambi. Which is a definitive upgrade at the Designated Hitter position from last year's Jack Cust. 

I don't believe that the steroid controversy is going to effect him very much with being back in Oakland. He's always been a popular player wherever he's been and I believe most baseball fans have forgiven him after his admission of using. 

Still, I'm sure there will be some doubters and scattered boos, but it will be great to see him in A's uniform again because he should have never left. With the signing of Giambi it gives the A's a solid hitter in the middle of the lineup. 

Giambi isn't going to hit in the .300's like he used to but I think he'll have a better average then he did the past few seasons with the Yankees. I expect anywhere from .265 to .280, but anything better would be a plus, but he also adds protection in the lineup to Matt Holliday. 

Still with this signing it improves the offense because Giambi has a thorough knowledge of the strike zone and he'll get a lot of walks. Another thing is he's back in a more relaxed clubhouse and he won't have anywhere near the pressure of playing of the New York Yankees and he should have a season where he hits anywhere from 25-40 homeruns. 

Jack Cust should also improve dramatically with Giambi in the lineup and with him helping him become even more patient at the plate and in effect it will keep Cust from striking out so much. He could also help Daric Barton regain that form he was supposed to have when he came up through the minors. 

If Barton struggles like he did last year Giambi maybe put at first base, which means that Barton would be riding the bench and the defense will not be as strong on the infield. In the outfield it would put Cust at Designated Hitter. 

I really don't know the details of the contract but more than likely it's a one year deal. If Giambi performs well and stays healthy the A's should resign him again for next year or maybe put an option to make it two years. 

With the signing of Giambi the A's shouldn't be just content with the signing. I would love for the A's to be able to sign an additional left handed hitter that they were also going after. 

The one that would be a perfect fit for the A's is Garrett Anderson who could platoon in left with Jack Cust and also give Matt Holliday a break in right field as well. Anderson has always seemed to love hitting against the A's and he's a high average hitter something the A's could use as well. 

Bobby Abreu would be the other option. He fits what Billy Beane wants in a hitter someone who hits for average and has a high on base percentage. Abreu and Anderson would probably put up similar stats as an A. 

I think that Anderson just gives the A's a better hitter and someone's who knows the American League West pitchers as well. In the end the A's can't just settle on Giambi they need Anderson or Abreu. 

My lineup for the A's if Anderson is signed. 

1. Ryan Sweeney: Center Field

2. Mark Ellis: Second Base

3. Matt Holliday/Garrett Anderson: Right Field

4. Jason Giambi/Jack Cust: Designated Hitter

5. Garrett Anderson/Jack Cust: Left Field

6. Kurt Suzuki: Catcher

7. Eric Chavez/Jack Hannahan: Third Base

8. Bobby Crosby: Short Stop 

9. Daric Barton: First Base

Of course again if Barton struggles than Giambi goes to first base, Barton goes to the bench, and Cust moves to Designated Hitter. This is also the belief that Eric Chavez will be healthy again if Chavy can't make the throws from across the diamond he could move to first base and Hannahan starts at the hot corner.