Jason Giambi

2013

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2012

Giambi agreed to exercise the mutual option in his contract and will return to the Rockies for his age-41 season. As a left-handed pinch-hitter and very occasional option at first base, Giambi hit very well around a quad strain last season and delivered a .958 OPS on the strength of 13 homers in just 131 at-bats. Beyond the impressive power display, you'll see declining walk (11 percent) and contact (66 percent) rates. Giambi is best employed as a short-term stopgap at first base or a corner-infield slot in deeper leagues.

2011

Giambi, 40, is in the twilight of his career. Last season, he hit .233/.374/.364 against righties, whom he saw the bulk of his at-bats against. While his power is fading (six home runs in 176 at-bats), his plate discipline remains somewhat intact. These skills coupled with a decline in his defensive abilities suggest that an American League team may be his final resting place. Either way, it will tough for him to find playing time as injuries have started to take their toll on the former MVP.

2010

Giambi began the year at the site of his original glory days in Oakland, but was released at the end of the summer and picked up by the Rockies, where he enjoyed a mini renaissance. He helped the team to the playoffs while raising his own free-agent value, however, he is much more suited for an American League team that won't have to suffer through his defense, and the Rockies can ill afford to invest in him, in any capacity.

2009

Giambi's seven-year, $120 million pact officially ended when the Yankees declined to pick up his $22 million option at season's end. In his defense, Giambi still walks enough to get on base at a good clip, but he's a terrible baserunner and his biggest asset will be the long ball at the expense of a low batting average. Expect some regression in power in 2009 after he hit 32 homers for the Yankees last season. Still, he'll get regular at bats while splitting time between DH and first base after agreeing to go back to Oakland.

2008

Giambi was limited to 254 at-bats in 83 games of his injury-plagued season. Plantar fasciitis limited his ability to play defense, and given his injury history, it looks like he'll be tying up the DH spot in the Bronx again in 2008, barring a trade where the Yankees eat a portion of the $21 million he's set to make. What's worse for fantasy owners is that Giambi failed to play 20 games at first base in 2007, which means he'll be clogging up the utility spot in most leagues come 2008. He may be the highest-paid player ever to compete for at-bats against a seven-year minor leaguer (Shelley Duncan) during spring training.

2007

A nagging wrist injury caused Giambi to fade after the All-Star break, as he hit just 10 homers after cranking 27 prior to the Mid-Summer Classic. Giambi had surgery following the Yankees' first-round playoff loss to Detroit, and he's expected to be fully healed and ready for spring training. He'll be used almost exclusively as a designated hitter this season, which will help limit his risk for injury and enable New York to get another right-handed bat in their everyday lineup. The 36-year-old should make a legitimate run at his best season in the Bronx with plenty of capable bats around him.

2006

From a pituitary tumor and refusing a minor league assignment to Comeback Player of the Year? After a horrific start, but one in which he continued to make pitchers work by taking a lot of walks, Giambi had a huge second half, driving in 65 runs after July 1. While he's not likely to hit .330 anymore, the power that made Giambi an elite first baseman is still there. Skepticism remains, so grab him if he seems undervalued.

2005

Parasites? Tumors? The 2004 season was a nightmare for Giambi as he batted just .208 with 12 HR and it wasn't so hot for his fantasy owners either. He's a horrendous defensive player and should spend as much time as possible at DH this season. You're taking a massive chance if you draft him; you could get 40 dingers, or you could get someone who'll spend months on the DL or who'll play himself out of town. Now one of the principal figures in the BALCO scandal, he may be run out of town before he gets a chance to play himself out. Buyer beware.

2004

Giambi really showed his toughness in 2003, playing hurt almost the entire season. Chronic problems with his eyes, back and knee contributed to a career-low .250 AVG and reduced him to being the primary DH. With Nick Johnson traded to Montreal, Giambi will need to play the field the majority of 2004 so hopefully the November surgery on his left knee, which removed inflamed tissue, will have him ready for spring training. Watch his progress carefully this spring - the knee problems could be the type that linger.

2003

Giambi fell off a bit in 2002 from the previous two seasons, but a .314/.435/.598 is nothing to complain about. Giambi's BB/K rate also declined in 2002, still a very solid 109/112, but worse than his tremendous 2001 numbers (129/83) or his equally impressive 2000 totals (137/96). Still, the 2002 numbers are good enough that we're not overly concerned about Giambi, who just turned 32 in January. Expect another 35-40 home runs, good batting average and 100+ walks in 2003.