If they can't beat 'em -- He may join 'em

The New York Yankees not only handed the Oakland Athletics their second consecutive ALDS defeat, but they may even steal the services of Oakland's reigning AL MVP, Jason Giambi. When the contract talks broke down a few months ago between the Oakland organization and Giambi, many were dismayed at the organization hedging on placing a no-trade clause in Giambi's six-year, $90 million contract extension

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the New York Yankees were hardly disguising the fact that Tino Martinez's reign at first base may be over. Since New York has the ability to purchase virtually any given ballplayer's services, talks echoed around the ballpark that George Steinbrenner was talking a long hard look at reigning AL MVP Giambi.

For all the people who think Jason loves Oakland too much and that he will eventually come back next season - think again.

Earlier in the season, reporters recognized the unofficial courting of New York towards Giambi and they asked Jason what he thought about New York:

"Oh, definitely. I love to play here," he said. "You know, the biggest thing is, I've always loved the game and the people who have played it. I know a lot of the old players. My dad was a huge Mickey Mantle fan. I've always studied the game. I really believe that if you are going to love something and enjoy what you do, you should know the past and the players.

"Being able to talk to Reggie (Jackson) and things like that -- and the fans, the fans are what this game is all about. They love their players here. They are very knowledgeable of the game. You know, moving guys over, they are applauding -- where maybe other places are like, 'Oh, you made an out; you stink.' It's a lot of fun -- especially the history. You see the plaques in center field. To think Babe Ruth and Mantle and DiMaggio and all those guys have played on this field is pretty exciting."

For other teams in the AL East looking to get the edge over New York, these statements registered like nails on a chalkboard.

Oakland was arguably the best team in baseball after the all-star break and aside from the superior starting pitching from Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito - Giambi, outfielder Jermaine Dye, speedster Johnny Damon, and closer Jason Isringhausen were key factors in the success of the Oakland A's.

This offseason - Giambi, Damon, and Isringhausen are all free agents.

Does GM Billy Beane realize he's facing a potentially cataclysmic situation?

"The only thing more sacred than Jason around here," Beane said, "is my kid's college fund," Beane said the other night in a conversation with ESPN's Jayson Stark.

There is much uncertainty in Oakland these days with a waning fan base and the team being up for sale. Who knows what the new ownership will want to do with Giambi when they take over the team? All of these factors have to way heavily on the mind of Giambi.

Certainly there are plenty of teams that will wave a fistful of dollars at Giambi but realistically there is no team that can offer what the New York Yankees can offer him; a multi-million dollar contract and a chance to cover each and every finger with a championship ring.

No team sniffs more championships than the Yankees and Giambi knows that - hell, everyone in professional sports recognizes that factor. It's just a question of whether Giambi wants to leave a young nucleus in Oakland and head toward the East Coast to play for one of the most storied franchises in the history of pro sports.

To some people it may seem like a no-brainer, but everyone's situation is different and Giambi has always seemed to be taken with the Bay Area, an area that he has prospered in and become, arguably, the top hitter in the American League.

When the smoke clears from this battle, Jason Giambi will certainly take a breath and gather his thoughts. Next season, maybe he'll be in the laid back, California sun playing first for a young Oakland team bolstered by superior starting pitchers or he'll be in the Type-A, congested city of New York, being worshipped by sports fans all across the globe.

Certainly fans across Oakland, New York, and rival AL East cities will be watching.