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May 22, 2007 -- MLB isn’t the only outfit interested in Jason Giambi. According to a person with knowledge of the Angels’ thinking, the AL West leaders have an interest in acquiring the Yankees’ DH to bolster a lineup that is last in the league in home runs.
While MLB continues to look into Giambi’s quotes last week in which he all but admitted steroid use, the Yankees are waiting on MLB’s findings before deciding if they can void the rest of Giambi’s $120 million contract that runs through next season. There is an option for $22 million that won’t be picked up.
MLB and the Yankees, who are on the hook for $41.75 million, were tight-lipped about the issue. So, too, was Giambi, who returned to the lineup as the DH against the Red Sox last night after missing the three Subway Series games against the Mets when a bone spur in his left heel didn’t allow him to play first base. The commissioner’s office and the players’ association have held discussions about setting up a meeting with Giambi to discuss his comments, but nothing was firmed up yesterday.
Giambi homered in his first at-bat, drew walks in the next two plate appearances, scored from first on Robinson Cano’s triple in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.
“It felt better with the new orthotics, ” Giambi said of the heel. “It took a lot of pressure off. It made a difference and allowed me to swing the bat better.”
The Angels’ interest in Giambi, who was in a 1-for-26 slump and batting .268 going into last night’s game, was before the recent controversy surfaced. It’s likely the Angels, who have 30 homers, will wait to see what MLB does before pursuing a deal the Yankees would have to listen to very seriously.
The Angels have utility man Chone Figgins to move as well as backup catcher Jose Molina. And their farm system is loaded with young arms. However, if the Yankees have to eat asize able portion of Giambi’s salary to make the trade they would want more back for Giambi. As for Giambi, he has a blanket no-trade clause. However, the Angels play 20 minutes from West Covina, where he grew up, and an equal distance from the Orange County beaches Giambi enjoys.
Figgins, who missed the first month of the season with a broken finger, would give the Yankees much-needed speed. The 29-year-old switch hitter can play third, second and in the outfield. Most important, he would push Robinson Cano for playing time at second if Cano’s struggles across the first seven weeks continue. Figgins has appeared in 18 games, hitting .108 (7-for-65).
While MLB continues to look into Giambi’s quotes last week in which he all but admitted steroid use, the Yankees are waiting on MLB’s findings before deciding if they can void the rest of Giambi’s $120 million contract that runs through next season. There is an option for $22 million that won’t be picked up.
MLB and the Yankees, who are on the hook for $41.75 million, were tight-lipped about the issue. So, too, was Giambi, who returned to the lineup as the DH against the Red Sox last night after missing the three Subway Series games against the Mets when a bone spur in his left heel didn’t allow him to play first base. The commissioner’s office and the players’ association have held discussions about setting up a meeting with Giambi to discuss his comments, but nothing was firmed up yesterday.
Giambi homered in his first at-bat, drew walks in the next two plate appearances, scored from first on Robinson Cano’s triple in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.
“It felt better with the new orthotics, ” Giambi said of the heel. “It took a lot of pressure off. It made a difference and allowed me to swing the bat better.”
The Angels’ interest in Giambi, who was in a 1-for-26 slump and batting .268 going into last night’s game, was before the recent controversy surfaced. It’s likely the Angels, who have 30 homers, will wait to see what MLB does before pursuing a deal the Yankees would have to listen to very seriously.
The Angels have utility man Chone Figgins to move as well as backup catcher Jose Molina. And their farm system is loaded with young arms. However, if the Yankees have to eat a
Figgins, who missed the first month of the season with a broken finger, would give the Yankees much-needed speed. The 29-year-old switch hitter can play third, second and in the outfield. Most important, he would push Robinson Cano for playing time at second if Cano’s struggles across the first seven weeks continue. Figgins has appeared in 18 games, hitting .108 (7-for-65).
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