Over lunch, I was scanning some MLB articles and one jumped out at me.
The Buffalo News reports that the Cleveland Indians are going to recall OF prospect Ben Francisco. What jumped out at me was who the Indians might consider moving off of their 25-man roster to open up a spot for Francisco
There’s no word on what the Indians might do to make room for Francisco. But it’s likely they will either designate third baseman Andy Marte for assignment in hopes he can clear waivers and come back to Buffalo or give outfielder Jason Michaels his outright release.
The name that jumped out is Andy Marte (major league #s/minor league #s).
Marte was formerly a top prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization. He was traded from Atlanta to Boston in 2005 for SS Edgar Renteria and then was sent on from Boston to Cleveland as part of the trade that acquired OF Coco Crisp.
As his major league stats show, the transition to the major leagues has been a challenge for the 24-year old third baseman. But given the Nationals lack of higher level position players, he is worthy of consideration if he is, in fact, designated for assignment.
Baseball America has ranked Marte among their top 100 prospects in four different seasons:
- #40 in 2003
- #11 in 2004
- #9 in 2005
- #14 in 2006
Here is his Baseball America scouting report from 2005-06, when he was (briefly) the top prospect in the Red Sox system
Strengths: Marte has everything teams want in a third baseman, starting with tape-measure power. His stroke has a natural uppercut that generates plenty of loft, and the ball jumps off his bat to all fields. He’s an aggressive hitter who punishes mistakes, and he has the bat speed and aptitude to hit for a solid average. His walk rate has increased in each of the last three seasons. Marte also provides quality glovework at the hot corner. Managers rated him the best defensive third baseman in the Triple-A International League—the fourth consecutive year he earned that honor in his league. He moves well to both sides and has a strong, accurate arm. His 15 errors and .950 fielding percentage in 2005 were career bests. The Braves gave him high marks for his maturity and approach.
Weaknesses: As with most power hitters, Marte will pile up some strikeouts to go with his homers. His swing can get long at times, and he occasionally gets overanxious and chases breaking balls out of the strike zone. His speed is slightly below average, and he’ll get slower as he continues to fill out. However, he’s a smart runner who’s not a liability on the bases. Marte’s elbow bothered him slightly during the season but it wasn’t considered a serious problem. There were reports that the Devil Rays backed out of the three-way trade over concerns that Marte had a torn ligament. But the Red Sox found his medical records to be clean, and he played without problems in the Dominican League this offseason.
He has yet to live up to that promise at the major league level, but he will still only be 25 at the end of the 2008 season. Given the rebuilding effort the Nationals currently have underway, taking a chance on a former high ceiling guy like Marte is, in my opinion, a worthwhile gamble.
He would need to be placed on the 25-man roster, meaning the Nationals would have to get rid of one of the players they currently have.
But in all honesty, it would be a better gamble to take a chance on a younger guy who might come around instead of an older bench guy like Rob Mackowiak or Johnny Estrada or Aaron Boone. I understand the value of a more experienced player on the bench but if a guy like Marte becomes available it would not be a foolhardy decision to bring Marte on board to serve as a backup option to Ryan Zimmerman and Nick Johnson at corner infield.
Tofu Dog | 05-May-08 at 1:53 pm | Permalink
If we did not already have Wily Mo Pena and Dukes I would agree, but I don’t see waiving Boone right now and I doubt Bowden would do it to his friend. If Marte could be sent down to learn the outfield and 1B it might make sense, but otherwise I doubt it will happen.
Louis J. | 05-May-08 at 2:28 pm | Permalink
I’d take a chance on him BUT who goes? I still believe Boone is a valuable player currently and Bowden is sold on Wily Mo and we’re not sure what Dukes can do. If Belliard is traded and Boone (Willy Harris) can play 2B, then Marte can take Belliard’s place on the active roster.
Ric | 05-May-08 at 2:29 pm | Permalink
I doubt Cleveland will let it happen, and, if they do, expect that one of the teams with better waiver priority will beat the Nationals to the punch (Texas?), but if Marte comes available to the Nats on waivers, I agree with both Brian and Tofu Dog. Nats should take Marte, but keep Boone — drop either Estrada or Mackowiak.
Kirk | 05-May-08 at 6:12 pm | Permalink
Estrada or Mackowiak are already on the firing line when Elijah Dukes is ready.
Boone is the obvious candidate and if the “Plan” means anything would be tossed over the side for Marte in a heartbeat.
eric | 05-May-08 at 7:38 pm | Permalink
According to mlbtr the Indians DFA’d Jason Michaels instead of Andy Marte.
Sounds like he would have been a nice pick-up, and thus why the tribe thought better of it. It’s tough to give up on a young talent like that, especially one who plays solid defense.