The package the Red Sox offerred Indians G.M. Mark Shapiro for Coco Crisp was "too much to turn down", so a popular and productive player goes to Boston in Crisp, and the Indians get a third base prospect in Andy Marte, 22, who most scouts feel is one of the top ten prospects in all of baseball.
The Tribe also picks up young catcher Kelly Shoppach and reliever Guillermo Mota, while pitcher David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard go from Cleveland to Boston. From the PD:
Marte, 22, is the reason GM Mark Shapiro made the trade. They have Aaron Boone at third base and little else behind him. Marte, one of the youngest players at the Class AAA level last year, hit .275 with 20 homers and 74 RBI for Richmond."In Andy Marte, we are acquiring a right-handed power hitter who is also a good defensive third baseman," said Shapiro. "It is difficult to acquire a player of Andy's caliber and skill set via trade or free agency, and third base is a position of need in our organization."
I like the deal for two reasons. First, I'm excited about Marte. By all reports, he's special. And second, Crisp is considered by the Indians to be a centerfielder, and they'll have Grady Sizemore patrolling that position for at least a few more years. Crisp's arm is below average, and he may never hit for enough power to hold down a starting corner outfield spot for a contending team. The Indians management also wasn't happy about the way Crisp hit against lefthanders last season, and there are so many lefthanded starters in the Central Division that this wasn't a small problem.
It's still a gamble by Shapiro, because Crisp is only 26, and is already an established .300 hitter with speed, a great glove, and a winning attitude. He should get still better. Marte is still a maybe, and these Indians were supposed to be about winning now instead of assembling prospects for some future run. The Indians went into this offseason needing to upgrade the team at first base, and right field, without losing ground in the pitching staff. That hasn't gone particularly well so far.
They picked up a 36-year old part-time player in Eduardo Perez to platoon with the inconsistent Ben Broussard at first, and did nothing to improve right field, where Casey Blake will apparently return to underwhelm again, unless Brad Snyder somehow makes the team out of spring training. Now, instead of adding a proven major league outfielder, they have subtracted one. If you're keeping score at home, that leaves Grady Sizemore and not a whole lot else playing outfield in 2006.
The pitching staff lost a No.1 starter in Kevin Millwood and a No. 5 in Scott Elarton to free agency, and replaced them with what looks like a No. 4 guy in Paul Byrd, and a No. 5 in Jason Johnson. This is not progress. I can't blame owner Larry Dolan for not matching the 5-year, $60 million contract Texas offered Millwood, but I hoped he would spend some of that money on position player talent at the four corner positions where the team was so weak last year.
The trade for Phillies outfielder Jason Michaels isn't a long-term answer. Michaels looks to me like solid fourth outfielder, and it was originally thought he would platoon in left with newly acquired Todd Hollandsworth. However, Shapiro said in his press conference that Michaels will be the everyday leftfielder. He did bat .304 for the Phillies last year, and had a .399 OBP, but he still does not figure to strike fear into the hearts of the World Champion White Sox.
The swap of catchers looks like a steal for the Tribe. Bard didn't hit his weight last year, and has peaked professionally. Shoppach is a strong defensive catcher with two years of AAA ball behind him, who is ready for the majors. He's coming off an offensive year in 2005 in which he had 26 homers and 75 RBI, batting .253 a t AAA. He's only 25 and is already drawing interest from other teams in trade talks.
Riske had lost the confidence of Eric Wedge and there are many good young arms ready to stock the bullpen in Cleveland. This one may be addition by subtraction.
See what the Red Sox blogs are saying.
Here is more detail on Marte from Rick's Tribe Report
Posted by dan at January 28, 2006 11:40 PM