TUCSON, Ariz.—In a perfect world, Jason Giambi would be reporting to spring training as a designated hitter for a contender in the American League.
Instead, Giambi returned to the Colorado Rockies in Tucson on Wednesday, where he will be an occasional fill-in for Todd Helton at first base and a pinch hitter.
Giambi signed a one-year deal for $1.75 million in January after not being able to secure a job as an everyday DH.
Just because it was Plan B, doesn’t make it any less desirable, Giambi said.
“Trust me, in a perfect world, I’d love to say I could still go out there every day at first base and still play,” Giambi said after reporting to camp Wednesday. “I would’ve loved that opportunity to see what I could do (as a) DH day-in and out with a team that had an opportunity (to win). But I enjoy it here. I really had a great time, and I’m excited to be back.”
The 38-year-old Giambi spoke over the winter with Ken Griffey Jr., who returned to Seattle last year at age 39. He served primarily as the DH for the Mariners and told Giambi how much he enjoyed that role.
Giambi found no takers on that front, and after Helton and Rockies manager Jim Tracy called him and urged him to come on back.
It’s a familiar setting.
The Rockies signed Giambi, who was released earlier in the summer by Oakland, to a minor-league contract on Aug. 24. In 19 games with the Rockies, Giambi hit .292 with two homers and 11 RBIs. As a pinch hitter, Giambi went 4 for 10 with one homer, seven RBIs and more walks (4) than strikeouts (3). The Rockies went 13-6 with Giambi and won the National League wild card.
“We were a different team when he got here, and that was no coincidence,” Helton said. “We were starting to roll, but when he got here, it was just the reassurance that we’re in this thing for real.”
Giambi could get even more playing time this season.
The 36-year-old Helton admitted to wearing down at the end of last season. He told Tracy that he was amenable to more rest this season, which would open up at-bats for Giambi. And Giambi’s presence bolsters the bench and gives Tracy another left-handed bat to go with outfielder Seth Smith.
Helton said Giambi, a lifetime .282 hitter with 409 home runs and .527 slugging percentage, brings “intimidation” at the plate and a “clubhouse presence” to the Rockies. One of Giambi’s strengths, Helton said, is his ability to discuss hitting and do it with a calming influence.
“When he talks to you, you’re just one little thing away from getting it right back on track again,” Helton said. “That’s why I really enjoy talking hitting to him. His 400 home runs are not the impressive thing. It’s the way he takes batting practice and hits the ball.”
Giambi has had success pinch hitting, albeit with a small sample size. In 74 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter since his career began in 1995, Giambi is 19-for-63 (.302) with four homers, 16 RBIs, nine walks, 21 strikeouts and a .397 on-base percentage. But being used mainly as a pinch hitter is something Giambi will have to get used to.
“It’s how you look at anything in life,” he said. “You could look at it from one side and say, ‘OK, you’re not out there every day.’
“But I look at it as it’s something exciting and new. It’s something I haven’t done in my career, but also, I’m excited to come play baseball, like a giant kid again.”
