Giambi heads back to Oakland

[DainBramaged]

Jason Giambi is returning to his professional baseball roots with the Oakland Athletics.
Giambi and the A's finalized a one-year contract with an option Wednesday, bringing the free-agent designated hitter and first baseman back to the place he began his big league career. The sides had reached a preliminary agreement earlier this week but Giambi still needed to complete the obligatory physical for the deal to get done.

Giambi, who turns 38 on Thursday, follows a line of aging and injury-prone designated hitters in recent years with the A's —Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, Mike Sweeney and then Thomas again. Giambi also could play some first base to give Daric Barton a break from time to time.

After leaving the A's following the 2001 season, Giambi signed a $120 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees. He was slowed by injuries and was ensnared in the federal and baseball investigations of performance-enhancing drugs.

New York declined its $22 million option on him after last season, choosing instead to pay him a $5 million buyout.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/athletics/2009-01-07-giambi-signs_N.htm


Another colossal waste of time for the Crankies. Good bye juice.

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Mekka-lekka hi, lekka-hiney-ho.