The Yankees have focused the better portion of their offseason energy wooing free agent Jason Giambi. From personal phone calls to contract talks, New York is putting on the full-court press in the hope of luring the slugger to New York.

	Jason Giambi First Base Oakland Athletics Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 154 38 120 109 2 .342

So where does that leave the A's?

Oakland manager Art Howe said Saturday he would call Giambi as soon as he returns from his Maui, Hawaii, vacation Monday, the Contra Costa Times reported.

"I want to let him know how much we want him back," Howe said. "I'm just hoping that Jason will stay with us. This is the biggest decision of his career, and I'm not going to pressure him, but I think the best place for him is Oakland."

Giambi has told Torre he wants to play first base, not designated hitter. According to an American League scout, the Yankees think Giambi as an average first baseman. Torre told New York reporters he would try Giambi at first base, but Howe told the Times he thinks the Yankees may have something else planned.

"I've heard rumors that the Yankees are looking at him as a DH, not a first baseman," Howe said. "Whether they tell him that or not is another story. He's our first baseman and he'll play there until he can't anymore."

Giambi said Thursday that he's waiting for the A's to make another offer. Oakland has left its six-year, $91 million deal on the table. General manager Billy Beane has met with Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, twice in the past five days, and they were expected to speak again this weekend, the Times reported.

"He's a really great kid," Howe said of Giambi. "I just want to talk to him as a friend. I heard of all those guys calling him. It's typical of the Yankees to overwhelm a (free agent). But Jason has a home in Oakland. That's why I hope he doesn't rush into it. We want him back. But the final decision is his."

Meanwhile, talks are continuing between the Yankees and Tellem. A source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark those talks are "going very well."

However, there are no indications a deal could be completed before at least the middle of the week.