Jason Giambi Returns to Oakland, Red Sox Closing in on Smoltz and Baldelli

(Zell's Pinstripe Blog)

Jason Giambi is no longer a Bronx Bomber. He rejoined the Athletics yesterday after passing a physical. Giambi received a one-year contract worth $5.25M. I remember back in 2001 everyone was excited when he first joined the team ($120 million, seven-year contract). I know I was.

He didn’t put up the same numbers he did with the A’s, but he was a pretty good player for the Yanks. That was most likely due to the fact that he was on steroids. He cleaned up his act and the fans forgave him. Not only that, but he had a great personality and was always very good with the media.

Giambi enjoyed the time he spent with the Yankees organization, and he doesn’t regret it. I wish the Giambino the best of luck with the Athletics.

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“I’m excited you guys are all here. I’m excited about this,” Giambi said Wednesday before he’d even given the Athletics time to formally introduce him for his second stint with the club.

Giambi thanked the Steinbrenners, Yankees GM Brian Cashman and others in the organization for what he called a “childhood dream” of playing for New York despite the constant media scrutiny and attention.

“When you’re with the Yankees, you’re like a traveling rock band,” Giambi said, noting he’s eager to take part in Oakland’s rebuilding process and helping to mentor young teammates. “I played with basically 25 superstars in New York every day. They’re incredible guys and we had the time of our life.”

“I’m back here to win,” said Giambi, who will join new outfielder Matt Holliday in the middle of the batting order. “I didn’t come here just to come back and be the prom queen again and ride through the floats.”

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The Red Sox have agreed to terms with Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz. This definitely gives them more depth and makes them a better team. The Yankees could have used them as they have a need for a SP and a CF.  I am a big fan of Smoltz, so it won’t be easy for me to root against the guy.

It will be weird to see Smoltz in a different uniform as he played with the Braves his whole career. Smoltz will get something around $5 million, and another $5M in incentives.

I would still take CC, Wang, Burnett, Chamberlain, Hughes/? over Beckett, Dice-K, Lester, Smoltz, Penny/Wakefield.

Where does Baldelli go? Is he going to bee wasted on the bench? The DH spot is already filled up with Ortiz. I wonder what there plans are because they already have Drew, Ellsbury, and Bay.

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