A's reach agreement with 1B-DH Giambi

Jan 7, 2009 - 5:16 AM SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics are a physical away from reuniting with a former star.

The A's reached an agreement Tuesday with slugger Jason Giambi on a one-year, $4 million contract with a club option for a second year at $5.5 million or a $1.25 million buyout, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

He is scheduled to take a physical on Tuesday, according to the report.

Giambi, who won the American League MVP in 2000 and finished second in the voting in 2001 while with Oakland before signing a seven-year, $120 million contract with the New York Yankees prior to the 2002 campaign, broke into the majors with the A's in 1995.

His stay in the Bronx was marred by inconsistent play, injuries and his role in the BALCO steroids scandal, for which he publicly apologized.

The 38-year-old hit .247 in 2008 but posted a .373 on-base percentage and .502 slugging percentage. He hit 32 homers and drove in 96 runs in 145 games.

Giambi likely will serve as the designated hitter in Oakland, with Jack Cust manning left field and Daric Barton playing first base.