No market for shortstops in 2010

Let's suspend disbelief for a moment and say Derek Jeter doesn't re-sign with the Yankees. Where would they go for a shortstop in 2011?

We asked a veteran baseball executive if the free-agent and trade market for shortstops is a good one.

"No," he replied.

We can't argue with that. Other than Jeter, here's the free-agent crop:

Orlando Cabrera, Cesar Izturis, Edgar Renteria, Miguel Tejada, Juan Uribe.

"Band-Aid types," the executive said.

Renteria and Uribe starred in the postseason for the champion Giants, with Renteria earning World Series MVP honors, but neither played the position full-time. Cabrera has a World Series ring from the 2004 Red Sox, but he's played for five teams in the last four seasons. Tejada is more of a third baseman now. Izturis hit .230 for the Orioles last season.

All are at least 30 years old. Cabrera and Tejada are 36, same as Jeter.

The trade market includes Tampa Bay's Jason Bartlett and Boston's Marco Scutaro - two AL East teams that probably wouldn't make a deal with the Yankees.

New Arizona general manager (and Brian Cashman pal) Kevin Towers could make Stephen Drew available, but last week, he said of Drew and rightfielder Justin Upton: "I'm not shopping those guys. My approach is, I'm willing to listen on anyone. Those two are great players. It would have to be a hell of a baseball deal to move either one of those guys."

So where would the Yankees go? Said the executive: "It would be interesting if there were that stud guy out there."

There is one "stud guy," but there's no indication he's out there: Florida's Hanley Ramirez.

Ramirez turns 27 two days before Christmas. He hit .300 with 21 home runs, 76 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in what was a down year for him. He is in the middle of a reasonable $70-million contract that is in force through 2014.

But the Marlins are moving into a new ballpark in 2012. Owner Jeffrey Loria recently said of Ramirez, "[Trade] rumors are started by others, others who might like to have him, or see him there. We don't start those rumors. Hanley is our shortstop. I love him, he knows that, and I hope he retires with us."

Could the Yankees replace Jeter? Sure. Everyone can be replaced. But forget the PR implications - would they be better on the field without him in 2011?

Doesn't seem like it. And that's another reason we expect to be sampling the free buffet at a Jeter news conference at Yankee Stadium in December or January.

No short answer

Tweet nothings

Twitter posts from athletes are usually quite boring. But one thing that's interesting is seeing who some of our local baseball Tweeters follow themselves.

CC Sabathia, for example, has 71,328 followers but follows only 43 himself. Three are Jets players Mark Sanchez, Nick Mangold and Calvin Pace.

Nick Swisher (1,255,173 followers) follows only 47 people, but he's more Hollywood. His list includes actress Jessica Alba and former 'N Sync star Lance Bass.

Carlos Beltran (7,160 followers) follows nine people, including singer Marc Anthony, Shaquille O'Neal and his own wife, Jessica.

Murphy's law: A 2nd chance?

Could Daniel Murphy be the Mets’ Opening Day second baseman?

New manager Terry Collins watched Murphy last week in winter ball in the Dominican Republic and hinted there could be “an interesting battle” between Murphy and Luis Castillo in spring training.

Remember, Murphy had a strong second half in 2009 and went into camp in 2010 as the Mets’ first baseman. Then he suffered a knee injury, lost his job to Ike Davis and suffered a more serious knee injury while playing second base in the minors when an opposing player took him out while breaking up a double play. Murphy said turning the DP is the toughest part of learning to play second base.

“I’m getting a little more comfortable every day playing the position,” Murphy said Friday from Santiago, Dominican Republic. “I think that with the progression I’ve made down here, I think I’ll definitely be ready to help the team maybe not only at second base or wherever they see fit.”

Murphy, who also has played first and third in the Dominican, was batting .320 with four home runs and 22 RBIs through 103 at-bats. He currently is taking a few days off because of leg fatigue. Collins said he also plans to visit with Castillo.