UPDATE, 9:18: Executive VP Andrew Friedman called it "a very good meeting" and said Giambi has "got a lot of the characteristics of a hitter that we like.'' He also said he spoke on the phone with a third potential addition, whom he would not name, but also said he still thinks it's "pretty early in the process.''

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The Rays apparently moved quickly in the next stage of their information gathering process on candidate to improve their offense, with word around the Bellagio that they met late Monday night with Jason Giambi. They are also scheduled to meet sometime in the next 24 hours with Bobby Abreu's agent, Peter Greenberg.

There is a photo that appears to mark the occasion, which appeared on the website dailyfiasco.com, showing Maddon, Giambi and chef Barry Dakake:




Giambi was next in line after they had a lunch meeting with Milton Bradley on Monday as they seek to get a sense of their options.

Giambi, 37, has been mentioned in various reports as likely headed back to Oakland, but that does not appear to be the case as the Rays and others have interest.

Giambi was seen at the Bellagio on Monday night and the ex-Yankee told Newsday he didn't know where he was headed. "It's slow out there,'' he said. "Nothing's getting done yet.'