MLB

CASHMAN WON’T RANSOM THE FUTURE FOR A QUICK FIX

LAKELAND, Fla. – You listen to the Yankees talk about using Cody Ransom at third base until Alex Rodriguez returns and immediately the brain pulls up other replacement situations.

COMPLETE YANKEES COVERAGE

YANKEES BLOG

Enrique Wilson was going to follow Aaron Boone after the 2003 season, but then Rodriguez was acquired. Bubba Crosby was going to be the starting center fielder going into 2006, then Johnny Damon was signed. When Nick Swisher was acquired in November, he was going to play first base. Then Mark Teixeira took $181 million in December to replace Jason Giambi.

“But you have to remember Erick Almonte for (Derek) Jeter, and last year we went with Jose Molina and Chad Moeller (for Jorge Posada) until Pudge Rodriguez fell into our laps,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday after it was announced Rodriguez could be out until mid-May due to today’s hip surgery.

Almonte and Wilson played short when Jeter missed the first six weeks of 2003 with a shoulder injury, so the Yankees have a precedent. And they did go 26-11 without Jeter.

Still, the Yankees are likely to see what options they have other than Ransom, a 33-year-old journeyman who has 183 major league at-bats (.251 average) and has never spent a full season in the big leagues since joining professional baseball in 1998.

“It will be about choices presented,” Cashman said. “We are not going to sell the farm. Alex is coming back.”

The Royals are looking to move the versatile Mark Teahen and his $3.6 million salary and the Dodgers have hinted they would like to upgrade their bullpen if they deal Blake DeWitt. Mark Grudzielanek is a free agent to consider because he can play three infield positions when Rodriguez returns.

“Unless something goes wrong, Cody will be the Opening Day third baseman,” manager Joe Girardi said of Ransom, who batted .302 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 43 games last season and is at .400 this spring after going 2-for-2 in yesterday’s 12-3 win over the Tigers.

Ransom has no qualms about following Rodriguez.

“If that’s what they ask me to do, I will be ready,” Ransom said. “I don’t think you replace him.”