Here’s the latest on the shape of the Indians roster. Right now, Marte is slated to begin the season in AAA.
“The talent is obviously there, but we want him to get comfortable so that he doesn’t think that he has to have a day like that all the time to impress,” Shapiro said.
Marte also has dazzled in the field. Against the Nationals, he made a barehanded pickup of a slow roller and zipped the ball to first to get an out.
“I’m know I’m ready to play in the majors now, but I understand that Cleveland has a good third baseman,” Marte said.
Veteran third baseman Aaron Boone is signed through this season with a mutual option for 2007. Marte’s development obviously will affect Boone’s future with the club.
“I hope Andy has a year in Buffalo where in six weeks everybody is asking, ‘What about Marte?”‘ Shapiro said. “At the same time, hopefully Aaron has a good year and continues to make it a difficult decision for me.”
Boone just turned 33 yesterday and is coming off a season in which his averages were .243/.299/.378. I’m guessing Marte won’t be in Buffalo very long.
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It sounds like Shapiro is saying he’s going to send Marte down because he’s playing too well. I assume that’s not what he meant, but it seemed like an odd comment to make.
If I am right, I think Andy Marte has half a season of big league experience. If so, then that affects his eligibility for arbitration. I think Shapiro’s real desire is to keep Marte in AAA until a half season goes by and then call up Marte. That way, the Indians get a “bonus” year on Marte without doing much.
That seems a bit excessively cynical. They signed Boone well before they got Marte, and I don’t blame them for being reluctant to eat the contract in April, especially since Marte is so new to the organization. Lots of youngsters play well in spring training, and spending an extra couple of months in AAA is better than being rushed. Anyway, it’s reasonable to suppose that Boone, at 33, is capable of a comeback year. If not, well, they can eat the contract in July.
A Cleveland fan cynical about his owner’s ability to spend money? What eles did you expect? 🙂