Now we get to see Andy Marte again - is this the third, fourth, or fifth time? I’m actually encouraged by his return to the Tribe. Why? Is it his higher batting average and overall improvement lately? Is it his OBS (.583 - is that good??) or OBS+ - nope. (Sorry Mikey).
No, my optimism springs from the fact that he’s coming back to the big leagues despite the Indians organization - not because of it.
Under Wedgie’s fine nuturing skills, Marte never progressed from that “can’t miss” prospect label he was wearing to the solid major league player we all hoped for when the original trade was made. If anything, he actually digressed into a washed-up minor league player - at 25.
So, my beloved Indians sent him through waivers - secretly hoping that someone would claim him. But alas, he had sunken so far into the malaise of Wedge-speak, no one would even take a chance on him. The Tribe was almost forced to keep him, much to their chagrine, I believe
However, as many of you know, some players are late bloomers. It takes them a long time to figure out major league baseball. Andy appears — at least at the moment - to be in that category. (Well, let’s just say — I hope so).
Why do I think we might get lucky? Because we all know that it is a time honored tradition in Indians land that we hold onto players for awhile - give up on them -then watch them become productive players on other teams.
Well, despite our efforts to get rid of Andy, no one would even take him off our hands. So, we were stuck with him.
This has apparently confused the baseball gods, because instead of amazing improvement on another team — he’s playing much better for us. What a country, what a team. Not because we arranged it, but because of dumb luck.
Chances are A-Mart will lapse back into mediocrity once he sees a few major league pitchers throwing the ball at him again. However, maybe, just maybe we’ll catch a break and he’ll turn into a solid ball player for the Indians. That would be a big break for the good guys.
A few more breaks like that and maybe we can prove that Jose Mesa is Dead.
Dad
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