ESPN.com: Giambi agrees to $128 million deal with Yankees

Yankees deny deal is done

By Boston.com Staff, 12/06/01

Coveted free agent slugger Jason Giambi will spend the next seven years in Yankee pinstripes, according to a report on ESPN.com.

The website, citing "SportsCenter" anchor and ESPN Radio host Dan Patrick, reports the former Oakland first baseman has agreed to a seven-year deal worth between $17 and $18 million a season with the New York Yankees, pending a physical.

However, the Yankees are denying a deal has been reached.

This season Giambi finished as runner-up in the American League Most Valuable Player award voting to Seattle Mariners' outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. Giambi batted .342 with 38 home runs and 120 RBI while leading the A's to their second consecutive playoff appearance. Ironically, it was New York that eliminated Oakland for the second straight season.

The deal has been rumored for weeks as the Yankees put the full-court press on the 2000 AL MVP immediately after losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. Manager Joe Torre, and past Yankee greats like Yogi Berra, placed phone calls to Giambi in an effort to lure him to New York.