NFL Trade Rumors: A Third-Rounder for Derek Anderson
February 19, 2009WFNY Podcast #15
February 19, 2009For those of you who enjoyed, the Andy Marte era in Cleveland, well, I just feel sorry for you. The one time jewel of the Atlanta Braves system and a guy who GM Mark Shapiro had hand-picked as his third basemen of the future, has been designated for assignment by the Indians, ending one of the most disappointing careers in recent Tribe history.
Twice Marte, now 25, was handed the third base job. Twice, he dropped it as if his name was Braylon Edwards. We heard for so long about his power potential, but it never materialized. His long, looping swing never shortened up, and his pull happy ways never disappeared. He finishes his Indians career playing 150 games, hitting .220 with nine HR’s, 48 RBI’s, and an on-base percentage of .262.
Those numbers are a far cry from the guy who was the centerpiece of the Coco Crisp trade before the 2006 season.
I went back into the archives (isn’t the internet great?) and found these quotes from Red Sox Senior advisor Bill Lajoie and then-Braves GM John Schuerholz on the day Marte was dealt to Boston for SS Edgar Renteria:
Lajoie on Marte: “He would be one of the five players you would want to start a ballclub with. This is a throwback type of third baseman. This is the power corner that you hope will hit 25 homers when he does play in the majors.”
Schuerholz on Marte: “As painful as it is to trade a player with Marte’s caliber, it needed to be done. The Red Sox got a fine young player.
How about own own GM Mark Shapiro’s comments on the day he acquired Marte from Boston:
“In Andy Marte, we are acquiring a right-handed power hitter who is also a good defensive third baseman. Not only is third base a position of need in our organization, but it is one of the more difficult positions to acquire a player of Andy’s caliber and skill set via trade or free agency.”
Scary isn’t it? Needless to say, Marte’s run in Cleveland has to be considered nothing short of a collasal failure. This also signals that the final roster spot is Josh Barfield’s to lose.
15 Comments
I thought Shoppach was the centerpiece of the Crisp trade.
/20-20 hindsight
Feels like a bad tooth was finally extracted. Kind of a shame, nice kid. Shows you that even competent general managers will make some evaluation mistakes.
I called out Marte being a bust loooong ago… I used to tune into “Cleveland Rants” which was on FSN after the Tribe games. It was hosted by Neil Bender and Les Levine back then. I called in one day about three years ago, and proclaimed that Marte was going to be just another Brandon Phillips (they both of course shot the thought down!) I just never had a good feeling in my gut about the guy. Can’t wait to see him blossom with another team…
Wow. I wonder what provoked them to move now, rather than wait to see what he would do throughout spring training. I didn’t have high expectations for him this year, but I don’t see what is gained by cutting him loose early. Especially since, as they point out in the linked article, DeRosa won’t be available to play 3rd for us while the WBC is going on. Perhaps a [very minor] trade is in the works?
nice Brick..
Totally right…..Atlanta had to know what was ahead for him and thats why they were able to send him to the sox and it only took the sox a year to figure out that he was a dud.
good riddance
Finally.
OK, so if Marte catches on elsewhere (and does well), will this be looked back on as a “mistake”?
Red Sox may think they got the short end of the trade.
They’ve never been satisfied with Crisp and look what Shoppach has turned into.
“OK, so if Marte catches on elsewhere (and does well), will this be looked back on as a “mistake”?”
I’m sure by some – but that’s just the nature of the beast. I’d say we gave him more than his chance to prove he can hit at the big league level.
The timing of his release makes me think he came into camp in less than perfect shape. Again.
Hodges, you’re next in line.
I think the reason that they held on to Marte for so long was because they were afraid he’d pull a Brandon Phillips somewhere else. I feel confident that he won’t – but if he does – good for him.
Huge disappointment, but it was time we cut our losses. The kid had great potential but never brought it to the ballpark. Ever. I mean did he ever come up with even one clutch hit or stellar defensive play? It’s sad to see ability like his squandered, but it just wasn’t working out. Of course, we said the same thing about Brandon Phillips when we gave up on him. Now he’s a star with the Reds. Someone’s gonna give Marte another shot, and I don’t want to wish him ill, but I’d hate to see this get slapped in our faces too.
Who the hell is Andy Marte?
[…] many tears. The guy has nine lives with this organization. I literally wrote this exact same piece two years ago. Knowing Marte, he will clear waivers, end up playing first base in Columbus in 2011 and weasel his […]