MLB

WHO CAN TAKE A-ROD’S PLACE?

On Opening Day 2003, Derek Jeter dislocated his left shoulder diving into third base trying to avoid a throw from across the diamond from Toronto’s Carlos Delgado. Jeter was diagnosed to miss six weeks.

The Yankees did not jump into a panic trade for a shortstop. Instead, they went with a glove-challenged rookie, Erick Almonte, who never played in the majors after that season.

If Alex Rodriguez misses an extended period of time with a torn labrum, the Jeter/Almonte situation is probably instructive to how the team will handle the loss of their prime third baseman.

A-ROD PUTS OFF SURGERY, FOR NOW

SHERMAN: Very Expensive For Yankees

KERNAN: Dominican Team Moves On

BACK PAGE: Hello, Cody Ransom

Cody Ransom probably will get the bulk of playing time with Angel Berroa or young defensive standout Ramiro Pena around as a caddy.

Three immediate concerns crop up even if A-Rod can return in a short time frame:

1) He will need agility to play third base and if the injury zaps some agility what do the Yankees do at the position?

2) If he has to become the DH, what does that do to Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada who already – due to age/injury – may need to share that position?

3) Can the Yankees give away a ton of offense at third base when they already were planning to do that potentially in center field (Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera) and behind the plate with Jose Molina if Posada cannot catch regularly?

Under the worst-case scenario, where can the Yankees turn? Here are some possibilities:

Scott Rolen, Blue Jays – He is owed $11 million both this year and next at a time when the Blue Jays already have cut $20 million-plus from their payroll. If the Yanks had not re-signed A-Rod following the 2007 season, Rolen was near the top of their list for potential replacements. Injury prone with diminishing offense, but still a defensive standout.

Melvin Mora, Orioles – Like with Toronto, you wonder if Baltimore would consider helping the Yankees. But like with Toronto, the O’s are in a rebuild, and Mora is owed $8 million this year and $1 million on a buyout of an $8 million option next year. The O’s obtained Ryan Freel and Ty Wigginton in the offseason who could share the position in Mora’s absence. Mora had a rebound last year offensively with 23 homers and 104 RBIs.

Brandon Inge, Tigers – Detroit does not have an easy solution if it trades Inge. But there might not be a more depressed city in America than Detroit, right now, and getting out from under the two years at $12.9 million left on Inge might be attractive. The fringe benefit for the Yanks, besides Inge’s strong defense at third, is that he provides some catching insurance, too, in case Posada could not come back.

Garrett Atkins, Rockies – Colorado examined trade possibilities for Atkins in the offseason. Again there is an economic component here: Atkins is making $7.05 million and the Rockies have a ready-made (cheap) solution, prospect Ian Stewart, who is ready to play right now. Atkins is not much of a fielder and there are questions how much his bat will hold up outside Coors Field.

Hank Blalock, Rangers – Again an economic possibility. He is owed $6.2 million this season and he might not even be a third baseman any more due to so many physical problems. With Michael Young shuffled over to third, Blalock currently is being projected as Texas’ DH, and it would probably take nothing more than a mild prospect to nudge him off the Rangers payroll. Heck, Texas probably would be willing to move the five years at roughly $60 million left on Young.

Chone Figgins, Angels – The Angels are looking for ways to get more power into the lineup, and that could mean it is time to finally commit to young Brandon Wood at third. Figgins is making $5.775 million a year from free agency. Like Mora or Inge, he offers the benefit of being able to move to other positions if A-Rod came back and was able to play third base full-time. Florida’s Jorge Cantu also might fit into that category. The other person who can is Mark Grudzielanek, a free agent who told suitors this offseason he would only play for a contender or not at all in 2009. Well, the Yankees are contenders.

Adrian Beltre, Mariners – Like Figgins, Beltre is a free agent and unlikely to be staying in Seattle beyond this year. Plus he is making $12 million this season at a time when new GM Jack Zduriencik has at least one eye on the future.

Blake DeWitt, Dodgers – With Orlando Hudson, Casey Blake and now Manny Ramirez all signed, he is a man without a starting position.

Martin Prado, Braves – With the signing of Garret Anderson, the Braves may no longer have any lust for Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady. But maybe something could be done for this jack-of-all-trades who has a sweet glove.

Mark Teahen, Royals – He is making $3.575 million and has no set position for a small-market team. I wonder if the Royals would even consider a mega-deal built around Alex Gordon and Phil Hughes – of course, to get someone like Gordon the Yankees would have to think that A-Rod is finished as a third baseman.

Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks – He is owed $4.75 million this year and a $1 million buyout on a $7 million option next year. Arizona has bodies to fill his position, but there are questions if he can play third base any longer skill-wise and health-wise.

Aaron Boone, Astros – The irony is if Boone comes back to replace the man who replaced him when Boone was injured during the 2003-04 offseason.