MLB: Piniella joins Giants as special assistant

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Lou Piniella is staying right in the baseball mix.

The longtime skipper told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants to work as a special assistant for the World Series champions. Sweet Lou will report to general manager Brian Sabean.

"I took a little consulting job with the Giants," Piniella said in a telephone interview from his home in Florida. "It's a done deal. I look forward to it. Brian and I are good friends. Whatever Brian needs me to do."

The 67-year-old Piniella retired as a manager during the 2010 season with the Chicago Cubs in order to return home to Tampa, Fla., and help his ailing mother, 91-year-old Margaret. He was with her Wednesday in the hospital after she underwent a procedure and reported she is hanging in there.

Piniella is 14th with 1,835 regular-season wins while managing the New York Yankees, Cincinnati, Seattle, Tampa Bay and the Cubs. As the Giants have done with former manager Felipe Alou, Piniella will remain in Florida and do most of his work from his home base - and probably no longer throwing bases. He said he will scout American League teams in Florida during spring training and attend Rays games at Tropicana Field.

The new gig provides Piniella, known for his animated arguments with umpires over the years, the best of both worlds.

"It gives me a chance to stay involved in baseball and not have to travel," Piniella said. "I worked with Brian a lot of years in New York. He's a good man. They have several former Yankees (working for the club). They won a world championship - we won a world championship. I'm joining a world-class organization."

It may turn into a longer-term agreement.

"I'll do it for a year, and we'll see what happens," Piniella said.

The San Francisco Chronicle was first to report Piniella's new job.