Chanced upon this pre-Renteria trade interview with John Schuerholz, and it’s interesting to see the Braves’ own view on Andy Marte pre-trade:
JH: Let’s shift over to another high profile young player who’s been getting a lot of press…Andy Marte. At the moment he seems like he doesn’t have a position, but those things tend to work themselves out.
JS: They always have. In all my years in baseball…40, and in my years as a general manager, this is my 25th, they always work out. You never have a problem with too much talent. The problem is when you have too little. We find a way to make matters work if we have an excess of talent…whether you move a player to another position, whether you trade a player…
JH: Is there any possibility that Marte goes to camp at a different position or tries to learn a new position?
JS: I don’t think so. I don’t think so. He’s too young…he’s a primary dominant third base candidate for a major league team in the very near future, whether it be for our team or someone else’s team. I mean this guy’s total package, offensively and defensively, his power potential, and excellent defensive skills make him a legitimate major league third baseman. Right now, though, there’s a guy named Chipper Jones ahead of him. (Link)
Very good to hear the positives on Marte: despite the rumours about possible injury, it does seem the Braves were legit in trading him. Speaking of third basemen, one thing I do like about Mike Lowell that I hope to see happen at Fenway: he turns the hidden-ball trick well…