What does Derek Jeter have in common with Babe Ruth’s monument? Neither one will be moving anywhere next season.

Yesterday afternoon, Yankee general manager Brian Cashman strongly declared Jeter would stay put at shortstop during a conference call to officially announce the Alex Rodriguez trade. Cashman accentuated Jeter’s accomplishments while simultaneously mentioning A-Rod’s selflessness during repeated inquiries on the subject.

“I stress the fact there is no issue, there is no, ‘Who is the starting quarterback?’ that we are talking about here,” Cashman said. “We have arguably the best left side of the infield in the history of baseball.

“And that’s what it’s going to be: it’s going to be Derek Jeter at shortstop, and Alex Rodriguez at third base.”

Although many believe A-Rod to be the best shortstop on the planet, Yankee officials from owner George Steinbrenner down stated that Jeter’s spot in the middle of the diamond is secure in 2004. Rodriguez was acquired only after acceding to a position change to the hot corner, which the Yankees first broached through Texas GM John Hart about two weeks ago.

At one point, Cashman admitted he “couldn’t believe” he was announcing the acquisition, as if he was dreaming.

“It was certainly a Mt. Everest request,” Cashman said of the position change. “At least we asked the question.”

Steinbrenner and Cashman both spoke to Jeter in the past few days to explain the situation and reiterate their support in him, although Cashman also stated that he didn’t think he needed to.

“Derek’s response to me is he thinks this is pretty cool,” Cashman said.

Asked by a reporter in Tampa if Jeter could or would move to third, Steinbrenner answered, “No, Jeter’s our captain and he’s our leader.”

Of A-Rod’s desire to do whatever it took to join the winningest team in baseball history, Steinbrenner answered, “I was very impressed. It shows a lot.

“He will be big in New York.”

Statistics suggest A-Rod is Jeter’s defensive superior across the board. Rodriguez is a .977 career fielder to Jeter’s .973 mark, and the discrepancy is large over the past four years. Since the 2000 season began, A-Rod has committed 46 errors to Jeter’s 67. A-Rod has won two Gold Gloves, Jeter none.

“He is our captain, our world champion shortstop,” Cashman said of Jeter. “It’s not a consideration whatsoever.

“You go with the man who brought you to the dance, and I think you’ve gotta stick with him. And Derek Jeter continues to get us to that dance at that position. You don’t mess with success.

“This move would not happen if Alex Rodriguez would not agree to move and switch positions to play third base.”