Five days later -- with A's general manager Billy Beane on his way to Oakland -- Tellem is wondering what happened.
Tellem and Beane have not held any significant discussions since Saturday.
"I expect we'll touch base in the next couple of days," Tellem said. "We've come so far and we're so close that I think we should exhaust all opportunities.
"My sense is we will try as hard as we can to resolve it. That's why we're willing to extend the deadline."
Giambi originally stated he wasn't willing to negotiate during the regular season, but Tellem said it wouldn't be a problem if that happened.
Giambi continues to be firm in his deadline of signing by opening day.
"There are no plans to hold any contract discussions until later in the week," A's assistant general manager Paul DePodesta said.
The two sides have agreed to the financial package that would include a signing bonus.
Tellem said the contract is heavily back-ended.
"I'd said two-thirds of the money would be paid our over the last three years of the contract," Tellem said. "That was to accommodate the A's, and that's why the no-trade is so important.
"Jason wants a say in where he plays. His preference is to stay in Oakland."
The only issue left to resolve is the no-trade clause over the course of the contract that Giambi wants.
The A's originally offered a limited no-trade clause, but later pulled it from the table.
"Billy and I worked through every issue because we both want to get this deal done," Tellem said. "For this issue to break it up is unfortunate.
"That's why it's so disappointing. It's not an economic issue."
Tellem also said he's willing to wait until the end of the season to negotiate.
"If we can't get it done reasonably soon, we'll wait," Tellem said. "I thought when I came here, we'd get a deal done.
"We had momentum. Now it's gone the other way."
