Odds And Ends: Byrd, Timlin, Giambi

Some links to look through... Bobby Abreu tells Yahoo's Tim Brown that it was frustrating to see other players sign big contracts last offseason.  Abreu waited and finally settled for a $5MM deal, but now he loves LA. The Jason Giambi signing didn't work out nearly as well for the A's. When MLB.com's Mychael Urban asked manager Bob Geren if Giambi will be back next year, Geren avoided the question. Presumably the A's would rather buy the slugger out for $1.25MM than pay him $6MM next year. Paul Byrd told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he's in Boston to win a World Series ring. Mike Timlin is rehabbing in the Rockies' minor league system to prove he can still pitch, according to Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies.  Justin Smoak, Martin Perez and Julio Borbon top Jamey Newberg's updated list of top Rangers prospects at MLB.com.