Jason Giambi

53-Year-Old DHDH

Free Agent

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.000

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There was no outlook written for Jason Giambi in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats L

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'3"

Weight 240

DOB 1/8/1971

Born West Covina, CA

College Long Beach State

Drafted 2nd Rd 1992 OAK

Jason Giambi: Announces Retirement

DHFree Agent

February 16, 2015

Giambi has decided to retire from professional baseball, Mark Feinsand of New York Daily News reports.

ANALYSIS
The 44-year-old Giambi has finally decided to hang up his cleats after a 20-year career that included five All-Star appearances, an AL MVP award (2000), and two Silver Slugger Awards. Although he never managed to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy, he did make it to the World Series in 2003 with the Yankees. Giambi finishes his career with a .277/.399/.516 batting line with 440 home runs, 1,441 RBI and 1,227 runs scored.

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By no means were the Indians counting on Giambi being a major contributor in 2014, re-signing him to a minor league deal instead to primarily serve as a veteran clubhouse leader. That's not to say he didn't have some value as a bench bat in 2013, as he hit nine homers in 217 plate appearances, including a few memorable ones down the stretch. As it turned out, they only got 26 games out of Giambi, as a series of injuries (ribs, calf, knee) kept him off the active roster for a large portion of the year. He went just 8-for-60 with two doubles and two homers with the big club, lowering his batting line in two years with Cleveland to .171/.276/.346, and after 20 seasons in major league baseball, it looks like this may be the end of the line for the five-time All-Star, at least for his career on the field. The Indians are not expected to bring him back at 44 years old, but Giambi may get an opportunity to begin a new path, perhaps landing on the coaching staff in Cleveland or elsewhere.

Giambi gave every Indians fan a moment to remember with a dramatic game-winning homer in late September against the White Sox that propelled the Indians into the postseason. An ability to occasionally turn around a fastball is about the last remaining skill for the 43-year-old. He inked a minor league deal with an invite to spring training after the 2013 campaign and figures to land a bench role again to give the team a veteran clubhouse presence. If he sticks on the roster, Giambi remains unlikely to see a role that exceeds 200 at-bats working exclusively as a designated hitter and pinch-hitting option.

A viral illness and groin ailment rendered Giambi into even more of a part-time player than the Rockies probably imagined, as he ended his season with a career-low 89 at-bats. After serving as a veteran mentor to a young Rockies squad the past three and a half seasons, Giambi threw his hat in the ring for the team's open managerial vacancy, but ultimately lost out to Walt Weiss. Giambi vowed that he would only retire if he could manage right away, and with that not materializing, it appears he will attempt to land an invite to spring training with another team, though there figures to be few suitors for a 42-year-old pinch hitter coming off injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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