Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bernie Williams . . . Derek Jeter?
It’s not happening anytime soon, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman delivered the first hint at Jeter’s future yesterday while answering a question at a Q&A with fans at a Manhattan restaurant.
The Yankees GM was answering a question from an audience member, followed by a question from host Mike Francesa, when he said if Jeter ever switches positions, it will be to the outfield and not third base, as had been suggested by Francesa.
Cashman later clarified his remarks, saying he was answering a hypothetical question and there is no plan to move Jeter.
“That’s not something we’re focused on right now at all,” Cashman said. “He’s our shortstop and he’s going to do everything in his power to stay there. Mike [Francesa] said that he thought [third base] was the way to go. I said I thought his skill set would take him to the outfield if he was to move off that position.”
Cashman said he prefers to have power bats at both corner infield positions. Jeter had only 10 home runs last year.
Jeter signed a three-year, $51 million contract this winter with an option for a fourth year. The pact came after contentious negotiations that left Jeter fuming with Cashman for public statements the GM made.
The 36-year-old Jeter has deflected any talk of ever moving from shortstop. But his range has declined in recent years, making it appear he will not be able to play there much longer. Jeter’s future has been a hot-button issue among fans and media, but the organization has avoided addressing it — even hypothetically — until yesterday.
Coincidentally, Jeter was at the Yankees’ facility in Tampa yesterday to begin working out.
Francesa pushed a thought of eventually moving Jeter to third base and Alex Rodriguez to designated hitter. But Cashman pointed to the 1995 season when the Yankees had an aging Don Mattingly and Wade Boggs at first and third base, respectively. The two hit a combined 12 home runs. After that, the Yankees traded for Tino Martinez to get more power.
“I like corner outfielders and corner infielders who have power, so for me, if he’s ever gonna move, it’s probably gonna be a Robin Yount situation. But we don’t have to deal with it at this point,” Cashman said at the breakfast, according to ESPN. “We’ll deal with it when we have to.”
Yount moved from shortstop to center field as a 29-year-old with the Brewers.
It is unlikely any move with Jeter, a five-time Gold Glove winner, would happen before the 2013 season, when he would be 39 that June.
“We signed him to be our shortstop,” Cashman said. “It’s as simple as that. If adjustments have to be made, we’ll deal with it when that day occurs, if it ever occurs.”
This is the latest incident in a strange winter for Cashman. He was in a very public dispute with Jeter’s agent during their contract talks, had to deal with the fallout after missing on free-agent Cliff Lee, and was vocal about his opposition to signing reliever Rafael Soriano..
Cashman is entering the final year of his contract, and says he is happy with the team. But there was speculation after his public statements last week about the Soriano signing that he may be looking to leave the Yankees, where he has worked since 1986 and been the GM since 1998.
Before last night’s Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) Dinner in Manhattan, one of Jeter’s former teammates said he can’t see the Yankees captain anywhere but short.
“It’ll never happen,” said Darryl Strawberry. “I could never see Jeter playing the outfield. Knowing him as well as I do, as much as he loves the game and all the great things he’s accomplished in the game as a shortstop, there’s no reason for that.”
➤ New Yankees catcher Russell Martin was also in Tampa yesterday to begin preparation for spring training. Martin was able to do baseball activities a month removed from knee surgery.
brian.costello@nypost.com
— Additional reporting by Dan Martin and AP