Briefs | Baseball: Jason Giambi nears deal to go back to Oakland

Baseball

Giambi, Athletics reportedly are working out final details: Several years after leaving the Bay Area for the Big Apple, Jason Giambi is ready to slip back into an Oakland Athletics uniform.

A source familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday that the A's and the free-agent slugger are working out final details of a contract. An announcement might come as soon as today.

Giambi came up with the A's in 1995 and developed into a superstar, taking home the 2000 American League most valuable player award before signing a seven-year, $120 million deal with the New York Yankees after the 2001 season.

The Yankees declined to pick up his $22 million option for 2009.

ESPN reported it is a one-year deal worth $4 million, with a $6.5 million team option for 2010 and a $1.25 million buyout.

Giambi, 37, is likely to see time at both first base and designated hitter. He hit .247 with 32 homers and 96 runs batted in last season.

Cleveland, Pavano agree on deal: The Cleveland Indians and free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, a four-year bust with the New York Yankees partly because of injuries, agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Pavano can make another $5.3 million in performance bonuses, which don't kick in until he makes 18 starts.

Dodgers reportedly make offer to Hoffman: The Los Angeles Dodgers have offered all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, 41, a one-year contract to be their closer, the Los Angeles Times reported. He has all but two of his 554 saves for the San Diego Padres.

Teixeira's contract is finalized: First baseman Mark Teixeira, who ended last season with the Los Angeles Angels, officially joined the Yankees, finalizing a $180 million, eight-year contract initially agreed to Dec. 23, pending contract language and a physical.

"I have yet to tap my potential," the 28-year-old Teixeira said at a news conference. "I haven't accomplished anything yet. I don't have a World Series ring on my finger."

Cubs trade Marquis to Rockies: The Colorado Rockies have bolstered their starting rotation, acquiring right-hander Jason Marquis, 30, from the Chicago Cubs for reliever Luis Vizcaino, 34. The Rockies also receive cash.

Orioles, Uehara have agreement: Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara, 33, and the Baltimore Orioles have reached a preliminary agreement on a two-year contract.

Motor sports

Ellensburg's Street is second in motorbike division of Dakar Rally: Spaniard Marc Coma won the motorbike division in the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally, covering 236 miles from Ingeniero Jacobacci to Neuquen in Argentina in 4 hours, 9 minutes, 32 seconds.

Jonah Street of Ellensburg was third in the stage and is second in the overall standings.

In the car division, Carlos Sainz of Spain won in 3:42:57 and has a six-second overall lead on Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar.

Olympics

Roush resigns from USOC: Steve Roush, 50, resigned from the U.S. Olympic Committee, leaving a post in which he played a key role in organizing logistics for American athletes at the last three Games. Roush was the USOC's chief of sport performance since 2003.

Death penalty sought: Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against a man who pleaded not guilty to shooting former Olympic boxer Rhoshii Wells, 31, to death in Las Vegas in August. A judge set trial in September for Roger Randolph, 26.

Winter sports

Miller gets the boot for high boots: U.S. skier Bode Miller was disqualified for wearing boots with soles a hundredth of an inch too high, and Jean-Baptiste Grange of France won a World Cup slalom in Zagreb, Croatia.

Rules limit the height of boot soles to 1.35 inches, and a test by FIS officials showed Miller's new boots had soles 1.36 inches high.

Speedskater banned for obscene gesture: Chinese speedskater Song Xingyu has been banned from the sport for one year after making an obscene gesture toward jeering spectators at a competition in Shenyang, China.

NHL

Sundin might play for Canucks tonight: Center Mats Sundin said he believes there is a "good chance" he will debut for the Vancouver Canucks tonight in Edmonton.

Sundin, 37, is nine months removed from his last NHL game. The longtime Toronto Maple Leafs captain has scored 555 goals.

Media

Detroit columnist exits: A Detroit News sports columnist has left the paper, two weeks after he was criticized for asking then-Lions coach Rod Marinelli if he had wished his daughter married a better defensive coordinator.

Rob Parker resigned last week, managing editor Don Nauss said. Parker declined to comment on his departure.

Joe Barry is Marinelli's son-in-law and was defensive coordinator during Detroit's 0-16 season.

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