Jason Giambi was denied the managers job by his former club, the Colorado Rockies.  Therefore, the 42-year old former AL MVP decided then next best way to spend summer 2013 was by playing baseball.  As Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported last night, the Indians are about to give him the chance to.

Giambi and the Tribe agreed on a minor league deal, which includes an invitation to big league camp.  Giambi, who stands to replace the departed Travis Hafner at DH, will earn $750G if he makes the club.


The West Covina, California native came to the Majors with the 1995 Oakland A's.  After leading that team to the postseason in 2000 and 2001 (winning MVP honors in 2000 and finishing second in the voting the next year), he left as a free agent for the big money and promise of a World Series ring with the New York Yankees.  Despite his putting together some fantastic seasons in New York, the World Championship never came.  Things really took a downturn when he was implicated for use of steroids.  After a soft and injury marred 2007 season, Giambi publicly admitted to having "made some mistakes".  He played out his contract with a more typical season, bouncing back in 2008.

Gimabi made a stop back in Oakland in 2009, and then joined the Rockies.  Playing part-time only, and without the DH available, he became a solid back up to Colorado icon Todd Helton.  In 2012, however, he was limited to only 60 games, and homered just once, despite the friendly conditions at Coors Field.

Giambi was known for not only his prodigious power, but his great batting eye as well.  He has led the AL in bases on balls four times, leading to a career .522 SLG and .926 OPS percentage.  He is 43rd all-time with 429 home runs.





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