In a Denver Post story titled “Jason Giambi wants one more season” Troy E. Renck writes on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, that despite the fact seasoned veteran Jason Giambi’s level of production has faded with age, he still has some fight left in him—for at least one more season.
At 42-years-old Giambi still feels like he has some baseball left in him and worked endlessly the entire offseason to keep opportunities open.
The Cleveland Indians took a chance on Giambi signing him to a $750,000 minor-league deal just before the start of training camp, much to the excitement Indians’ manager Terry Francona.
"He has to play and produce, but what he brings is already evident — the presence, the charisma. I was telling some guys the other day, he's not a veteran. He's the veteran in my eyes," Francona said. "He can still hit, and we have a spot for that part-time DH. He has a chance."
Provided Giambi makes the squad, his benefit to the squad can not only be measured by what he brings to the plate, but also to the clubhouse. Young sluggers such as Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall would likely have the most to gain by Giambi’s presence.
If nothing else, Cleveland gets an additional coach who can still hit in the clutch when called upon. It is certainly a win on all cylinders.
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