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Andy Marte was never supposed to be like this.  When Marte joined the Cleveland Indians he was 22 years old.  He was thought to be a lock for a major league roster someday.  He was voted the International League’s best defensive third baseman multiple times.  At one time, he was ranked the 9th best prospect in all of minor league baseball.  Now at age 25, Marte has had the embarrassment of being designated for assignment and being passed over by every team in the majors.  For Marte, this can either be the end of the story or it can be the beginning.

Right now there is no place for Marte in Cleveland.  Josh Barfield, Jamey Carroll and newly acquired 3B starter Mark Derosa all but guarantee that.  Down in Columbus (Cleveland’s new triple-a affiliate) the Indians have up and comer Wes Hodges who they expect to pull most of the starter’s appearances at Marte’s natural position, 3B.  And why shouldn’t Hodges get the shot this year at the Triple-A level?  He earned it by putting up an impressive stat line last year in Akron batting .290 with a .354 OBP to go along with 18 homers and 97 RBI in 133 games. So the best opportunity for Marte is to take his fate to heart.

He must go to Columbus with a good attitude and willingness to play wherever he can to get in the lineup.  He can fill in at third, take some ABs at first base, and DH as much as the managers will allow.  There is only one way out of this career hole that Marte has dug for himself.  He has to hit his way out of it.  And even that might only be good enough to earn himself a trade to a team without a utility infielder on their roster and/or injury problems during this season. 

You never know.  We saw what the injury bug did to the Indians last year.  It could very well be with the Tribe.  But all doesn’t have to be lost for Andy Marte. 

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There was another player who cleared waivers on his way to an unlikely assignment to Buffalo.  On July 27th Cliff Lee was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo a day after giving up 7 runs in 4 innings.  On his way off the mound that day, he was plastered with boos from the Indians’ faithful and responded by sarcastically tipping his cap.  He spent the rest of the year pitching out of the bullpen, didn’t play in the playoffs and came back in 2008 on a mission, as we all witnessed.

Granted, Cliff Lee had some success under his belt before falling off the table and coming back stronger than ever.  Still, it could prove to be instructive for Marte as he looks to escape “Todd Dery Punchline” status, which he currently deserves.  I am sure Todd will be more than willing to eat all those chuckles some day if Marte can find a way to become the player people have been expecting him to be since he broke into the Majors.