Andy Marte

Marte got at extended look at third base following the trade of Casey Blake and disappointed once again. He hit just .221 with three homers in 235 at-bats and the Indians will go shopping for a replacement this offseason. He's out of options and can't be sent down to the minors without being exposed to waivers but expect the Indians to give up the experiment this winter. He needs a change of scenery badly if he hopes to resurrect a once-promising career.

It wasn't that long ago that Marte was arguably the top prospect in all of baseball as a member of the Braves' organization. Handed the third base job out of spring he struggled, pulled a hamstring and subsequently lost his starting job before getting sent back to Triple-A. He finished the season with a .193 average and just eight RBI in 57 at-bats, and he didn't exactly tear up Triple-A either (.267/.309/.457 in 353 at-bats). Marte is out of options, so he has to make the club this spring or the Indians risk losing him to another team. He'll need a strong spring to unseat Casey Blake at third base, but the Indians could still keep him around in a utility role. Considering that he's still just 24, he may need a change of scenery or a fresh start elsewhere to get back on track.

It seems as if Marte has been around for a long time, when, in fact, he will not turn 24 until after the 2007 season. The expectation for Marte has always been for him to take Aaron Boone's job when it became available. Well, the Tribe cut ties with Boone this past offseason and the time is know for Marte. He will certainly need to improve on the Boone-esque .708 OPS he battled through in 164 at-bats in Cleveland last season. Marte should not be your starter at a corner infield spot to begin the season, but may be entrenched there to end it.

Marte had another strong year in the minors, hitting 20 HR witih a .373 OBA and .508 SLG in Triple-A at age 21. However, he struggled in his first taste of the majors by hitting just .120. With the Braves signing Chipper Jones to a contract extension, Marte was traded in the offseason to the Red Sox for Edgar Renteria. He's still one of the top hitting prospects in baseball but he doesn't have a clear path to playing time in the majors in 2006. Still, his long-term outlook should get a boost by moving to Fenway Park.

Marte is considered Atlanta's third baseman of the future and could arrive in the majors as soon as 2005. He more than held his own at Double-A Greenville with a .363 OBP and 23 HR despite missing a month with a sprained ankle. While he'll likely start the season at Triple-A, don't be surprised if he's given a shot in the majors early on since the Braves have never been shy about moving top talent to the big leagues at an early age. He's one of the best keeper candidates in baseball as a result.

Marte could be Atlanta's starting third baseman in 2005 after improving his plate discipline while still showing excellent defensive skills and good power last season. He didn't post the gaudy home run totals (35) he did as an 18-year old in low-A, but hitting .285/.372/.469 in high-A could have him on track for a shot in the majors as early as 2005. A nice keeper league pick.

Marte did it all in the Braves system as one of the few 18-year-olds playing in full-season ball. Marte adds solid defense to an extremely powerful offensive package - improved plate discipline is his final frontier. He's clearly one of 2003's breakout prospects, and could come quickly.