Cleveland Indians Keeping Door Open To Jason Giambi In Non-Playing Role

The baseball clock may be running out for Jason Giambi, but it doesn’t mean his time with the game is. The Indians have left a standing offer..one he shouldn’t refuse.

The Cleveland Indians might not have a place on the roster for Jason Giambi, but it doesn’t mean there’s no place for him at all. As reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports earlier this well, the Indians would be open to Giambi returning to the team in a non-playing role.

It’s unknown what that role would be, but Giambi was well liked in the clubhouse, and the organization thinks highly of him after his two seasons with the Tribe. Now 44-years-old, he slashed only a .171/.246/.346 line with 11 home runs in 286 plate appearances since being signed prior to the 2013 season.

Technically, he hasn’t made a decision on what he plans to do as far as his playing career. He sits as an aging free agent, but hasn’t filed any retirement paperwork with the league.

But where to put him? Manager Terry Francona has his bench coach in Brad Mills. We’re already set with two hitting coaches in Ty Van Burkleo and his assistant Matt Quatraro. There have been rumors of Sandy Alomar Jr. moving over to the bullpen, but there’s been no wind of that.

Giambi survived the “steroid era” as well as any slugger in the game. He may be one of the few that I actually believe regretted his choices, and did his best to make the most of it – which he indeed did. With his diminished numbers, many point to his “clubhouse presence” as his biggest reason for having employment in the league over the past few seasons.

The players love him, and while he can bring a player/coach leadership bridge, finding a home for him could be the biggest obstacle. There is the option of finding a place for him somewhere in the farm system, but that’s a choice that he will have to make first.

The playing clock is slowly ticking out for the “Giambino”, so in the same way he knew to be remorseful for his PED issues – he needs to do the same in knowing it’s time to bow out gracefully from playing this game and move on to the next phase of his baseball life.

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