YANKEE NOTES

TAMPA – Jason Giambi said yesterday he does not need to change his nightlife behavior, which puts him in conflict with Yankee officials who claim they have a vow from the disgraced slugger that he will alter his partying reputation.

“No, I don’t think so,” Giambi said when asked if a modification of his lifestyle is necessary. “You guys all know I like to have fun. It has never gotten in the way of my performance. And I never will let it. Baseball is my No. 1 priority and always will be.”

However, Yankee officials believe otherwise, that Giambi’s performance was hurt by conduct more befitting a rock star. In fact, club executives Randy Levine, Lonn Trost and Brian Cashman – at the behest of George Steinbrenner – extracted promises from Giambi that he would, indeed, make changes.

The Yankees do not believe they can get out of the four years at $82 million left on Giambi’s contract for any past use of illegal performance enhancers. But they think there could be an opening should Giambi fail to perform due to not keeping himself in first-class physical condition because, for example, he is not getting enough sleep.

“We have given [Giambi] a shot at a second chance when it comes to lifestyle; to act more like a Yankee,” a club official said. “If he doesn’t comport himself like a good teammate and reverts to some craziness, we will have to revisit [his contract].”

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When Joe Torre addresses his team today for the first time this spring he isn’t going to harp on how last year ended. He will mention the 3-0 flush job to the Red Sox, but not near the top.

“I am not saying I wouldn’t [bring it up] but I don’t think I will make that a priority,” Torre said. “Everybody knows how it ended. We are a good team and didn’t get the job done.

“It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think any less of ourselves. It was very disappointing but I don’t think I am going to go out there and try to motivate people off of what we didn’t get done last year.”