OAKLAND'S FUTURE MIGHT HINGE ON GIAMBI.

Byline: JOE HAAKENSON

DENVER - ``I think we're getting close. I don't think it'll be too much longer.''

Oakland A's first baseman Jason Giambi spoke those words about a possible contract extension with the team.

In March.

Things are a little different now.

With the trade deadline a little more than three weeks away, trade rumors involving Giambi are circulating and promise to become more prevalent. It's only natural, considering the situation in which Giambi and the A's have put themselves.

Giambi is a free agent at the end of the season. The A's want him back but at what cost? Their offer, which became known way back in spring training, was a reported six years for $90 million. Giambi had said he wanted to stay in Oakland, but he also wanted a no-trade clause in the deal and the A's have so far not agreed to it.

Nearly four months later, the two sides are in the same boat. And it's sinking fast.

Though Giambi has indicated he wanted to stay, it's becoming increasingly evident he's prepared to test free agency and move on.

A lot has happened with the A's since spring training. For one, they're not the team so many expected this season. They have young and talented starting pitchers in Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder. But the lineup has been woefully unproductive (their team batting average is lower than the Angels'), leaving no one to protect Giambi. That's why he leads the league in walks - no need to pitch to him when there's no one else in the lineup to worry about.

Giambi is putting up big numbers again, which makes him that much more appealing to other teams. He went into the weekend hitting .327 with 19 homers and 60 RBI.

There also is the never-ending speculation that the club will be moved or sold, which can't be too reassuring for anybody thinking about a long- term deal.

The A's, obviously, know all this. But trading Giambi now not only would be giving up on this season but also the immediate future.

The young pitchers might be the foundation, but Giambi is the cornerstone. He's the reigning MVP and without him, the already fledgling fan base in Oakland will shrink even more. He's their only All-Star, their only big-name draw.

The A's also have concerns with players other than Giambi. They have to deal with the free-agent-to-be status of outfielder Johnny Damon and closer Jason Isringhausen. If the A's determine them unsignable and trade them before the July 31 deadline, they're basically giving up on any wild-card hopes for this season.

That might clear some additional money to sign Giambi, but why would he want to stay somewhere that can't afford to win, especially if he gets close to $100 million?

The A's are in a tough spot. Trade Giambi now and it's goodbye fans and goodbye 2001 and beyond. Don't trade him now and they risk losing him anyway without getting anything in return. That leaves signing him as their only option, but with each day the chances of it happening decrease.

All this uncertainty might be taking a toll on Giambi. He's probably tired of wondering what's going to happen, and he won't discuss his contract status at all.

A's general manager Billy Beane has become known as one of the top young executives in the game, particularly because of last season's success, when the A's won the AL West with a payroll of less than $40 million. But eventually, those low-priced success stories want their share. Giambi wants and deserves the biggest piece, something even Beane can't authorize without consent from his bosses.

``I don't own the team,'' Beane told the San Jose Mercury News. ``My position, and I'm speaking totally as a general manager, is that I would love to have Jason Giambi back.''

What Beane isn't saying seems to speak louder than his words. He can't give Giambi what he wants if ownership won't allow it. Since it hasn't happened by now, there's little reason to expect it to happen at all.

A's owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann have until the end of the month to change their minds. But if Giambi isn't re-signed by then, he's as good as gone.