Giambi Released by Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have released Jason Giambi.

Giambi began his major league career with the Athletics in 1995 and won the AL MVP in 2000.

Prior to the 2002 season, Giambi signed a 7-year, $120 million contract with the New York Yankees. In 2007, Giambi admitted to using steroids and would later discuss his steroid use with former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

After his contract expired with the Yankees, Giambi returned to the Athletics for the 2009 season. He and Matt Holliday looked like a promising one-two punch but this never materialized. Holliday was traded last month to the St. Louis Cardinals where he is prospering while Giambi's season never really got going. He hit a career low .193 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI. Giambi injured a quad muscle last month which landed him on the 15-day disabled list. Although he was activated on August 4th, the club elected not to play him. The Athletics, who are currently sitting in last place in the AL West 18 games behind the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, are now concentrating on a youth movement. At 38, Giambi simply does not fit into Oakland's plans.

The fact that Giambi was released indicates no one wanted him in a trade. More precisely, no team wanted to give up prospects for a slugger at the tail end of his career. However, I am sure some AL team is in need of a bat. With Nelson Cruz having seriously injured his ankle earlier this week could Giambi be a candidate to fill in the power void for him in the short term? If the Texas Rangers could resurrect Andruw Jones then why not Giambi?