DENVER — Jason Giambi and the Colorado Rockies have exercised their mutual option on his $1 million contract for 2012.

The 40-year-old slugger hit .260 with 13 homers and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats as Todd Helton’s backup last season. He hit a home run once every 10 at-bats against right-handers.

Giambi contemplated becoming a free agent given that so many teams, including the Phillies and Rays, showed interest in him last season, but he likes his role with the Rockies, where he serves as a clubhouse leader and mentor for younger players, including All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Giambi has hit .253 with 16 doubles, 21 homers and 78 RBI since joining the Rockies in August 2009.

The Colorado Rockies have picked up a club
option on first baseman Jason Giambi for next season.

The 40-year-old Giambi hit .260 with 13 homers and 32 RBI in 64 games for the
Rockies this past season.

In 170 career games with Colorado, Giambi hit .254 with 16 doubles, 21 home
runs and 78 RBI.

A five-time All-Star and the AL MVP in 2000, Giambi has batted .281 with 428
homers and 1,397 RBI in 2,103 career games with the Athletics, Yankees and
Rockies.

Colorado declined pitcher Aaron Cook’s option for the 2012 season. A broken
finger limited Cook to 18 games (17 starts) in 2011. He was 3-10 with a 6.03
ERA.

In 238 career games (206 starts) with Colorado, Cook was 72-68 with a 4.53
ERA.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DENVER — Jason Giambi and the Colorado Rockies have exercised their mutual option on his $1 million contract for 2012.

The 40-year-old slugger hit .260 with 13 homers and 32 RBIs in 131 at-bats as Todd Helton’s backup last season. He hit a home run once every 10 at-bats against right-handers.

Giambi contemplated becoming a free agent given that so many teams, including the Phillies and Rays, showed interest in him last season, but he likes his role with the Rockies, where he serves as a clubhouse leader and mentor for younger players, including All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Giambi has hit .253 with 16 doubles, 21 homers and 78 RBIs since joining the Rockies in August 2009.

DENVER — Jason Giambi and the Colorado Rockies have exercised their mutual option on his $1 million contract for 2012.

The 40-year-old slugger hit .260 with 13 homers and 32 RBIs in 131 at-bats as Todd Helton’s backup last season. He hit a home run once every 10 at-bats against right-handers.

Giambi contemplated becoming a free agent given that so many teams, including the Phillies and Rays, showed interest in him last season, but he likes his role with the Rockies, where he serves as a clubhouse leader and mentor for younger players, including All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Giambi has hit .253 with 16 doubles, 21 homers and 78 RBIs since joining the Rockies in August 2009.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have declined their $11 million mutual option for next season on right-hander Aaron Cook, the franchise’s career leader in wins.

Cook had a rough season in the final year of his contract, going 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA. The sinkerball specialist was bothered by shoulder stiffness in spring training and then he broke his right index finger when he slammed it in a door, forcing him to miss the first two months of the season.

The 32-year-old Cook, who’s the team’s career leader in wins (72), innings pitched (1,312 1/3) and starts (206), could be brought back at a reduced price.