Afternoon Baseball

Klapisch: Giambi back in comfort zone
Klapisch really should have written this article in August or October, but he was too busy rolling out the red carpet for Joe Torre's firing, apparently.
Giambi is not exactly a premier player. But he's one of the best at his position and one of the most patient hitters in baseball that can hit the long ball. Most importantly, he's proven, despite the Yanks' shortcomings in the past few postseasons, that he fits within the Yankee system well.

The real worry for the Yankees is that Gary Sheffield may slip. He's been at a consistent level for over a decade now, but for the past two years has clearly exhausted himself by September. If he does -- or even if he doesn't -- Torre may have to drop him down in the lineup behind Matsui and Giambi. In a contract year, with a good deal of job insecurity for 2007 and beyond, how will Sheff handle the pressure, especially as his own agent?