A's release Jason Giambi; slugger was hitting .193

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jason Giambi's second stint with the Oakland Athletics didn't pan out as either side had hoped.

On Friday, they parted ways — most certainly for good this time.

Giambi was released by the A's, cutting short the struggling slugger's return to his first major league club. Giambi hopes to catch on with another team for a pennant push this season and prolong his 15-year career.

"Jason is 100 percent healthy and definitely plans to continue playing," his agent Arn Tellem said in an e-mail. "He is confident he'll be able to contribute to a team down the stretch."

Giambi's aching body could make that tough. The 2000 AL MVP for the A's, he's been on the disabled list since July 20 with a strained right quadriceps muscle.

The 38-year-old first baseman and designated hitter had returned to Oakland this season after seven pressure-packed years with the New York Yankees, agreeing in January to a one-year contract that guaranteed him $5.25 million. That included a $6.5 million club option for 2010 with a $1.25 million buyout.

Giambi was making $4 million this season, so another team would owe him the prorated portion of the $400,000 league minimum. The A's are still responsible for his buyout.

"We're at a point where we have a couple of first basemen, younger guys, we'd like to play. This gives him a chance maybe to go somewhere else and play," A's manager Bob Geren said in Kansas City. "He did a lot for our team, both this year and in the past."

Giambi's legs have been bothering him for months, limiting his time in the field. The injuries, however, weren't considered career threatening.

"I talked to Jason quite a bit," Oakland general manager Billy Beane said. "Everyone knows Jason is a great guy and this is not something any of us envisioned. He always was upbeat and, as he always does, thanked us for everything.

"It was difficult because of the person," Beane added. "Jason has a long, successful history here and somebody that everybody was very fond of not just as a player but as a person. Those things are never easy. But once again, like everything Jason's done this year, he acted like a professional. We'll certainly miss him."

A five-time AL All-Star, Giambi was batting .193 — lowest in the majors when he went on the DL. He has 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 83 games this season. When he was placed on the DL, Beane and Geren said a mental break might help him.