Playing first base Giambi’s first option

But the Yankees and Giambi are optimistic that he can return to being primarily a first baseman this season. The domino effect from Melky Cabrera’s taking over the centerfield spot full-time means Johnny Damon is a leftfielder and Hideki Matsui primarily must be a DH. Thus, Giambi needs to spend the bulk of his time at first base if he is to be in the lineup.

Giambi will never be mistaken for a Gold Glove winner, but he must avoid being a major liability at first base for the Yankees to be comfortable using him regularly at the position, barring a serious injury to one of the first three dominoes.

They have a host of other first base options in Shelley Duncan, Morgan Ensberg, Wilson Betemit and, to a lesser extent, Chris Woodward, Juan Miranda, Eric Duncan and Jason Lane. As Yankees manager Joe Girardi put it Friday: “Everybody’s in the first base mix. That’s the bottom line.”

Giambi probably has a leg up on everyone else. He’s being paid US$21 million this season, and even though he’s 37, the offensive upside from a former Most Valuable Player remains greater than that of most others. Plus, Girardi flat-out said he expects Giambi to be at first base regularly.

“I’d like to see Jason be a very productive offensive and defensive player,” Girardi said. “Jason knows what’s at stake. There are some interesting decisions to be made. Jason has done everything we’ve asked. He came in in great shape, his mobility is better, and his feet aren’t bothering him.”

Said Giambi: “This is the best I’ve felt in a really long time. I love to play first, and one of the big things Joe told me when we talked this offseason was, I really need you to be ready to play first base.’ Last year, Joe told me he wanted me at DH. So that was my mind-set going in.”

During spring training last year, Giambi barely picked up a first baseman’s glove. Now he’s there daily.

Giambi was badly hampered in 2007 by plantar fasciitis, and eventually suffered a torn plantar fascia that sidelined him for two months. Giambi is convinced that condition had been growing steadily worse in the previous couple of years.

He tried to play through it, but it was a factor in his poor defense and his being used in fewer than 80 games at first each of the last four years.

The other leading options at first base are Shelley Duncan and Ensberg. Even if Giambi winds up being the primary first baseman, somebody else is likely to get significant playing time. Giambi has tended to break down when in the field day-in and day-out, so even if he is in better shape, he won’t be playing 140 games at first base.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email