Marte gets the call-up

Third-base prospect Andy Marte, who was a key part of the trade that send Coco Crisp to the Red Sox earlier this season, was promoted to the Indians from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, with utility infielder Ramon Vazquez optioned back to the Bisons.

From MLB.com:

Marte, acquired along with reliever Guillermo Mota and catcher Kelly Shoppach in the trade that sent Crisp, David Riske and Josh Bard to Boston, has been generally regarded as the Tribe’s third baseman for ‘07. At the time of the trade, the club said he’d need some more Triple-A seasoning before he’d be big-league ready, and he proved as much with a slump at the plate at the outset of ‘06.

In recent weeks, though, Marte has been as productive as they come. He earned International League Player of the Month honors in June by batting .304 with 10 homers and 22 RBIs. Earlier this month, he took home the Home Run Derby crown at the Triple-A All-Star Game in Toledo.

For the season, Marte has hit .261 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs. He’s made 19 errors in the field.

Marte will be splitting time with Aaron “Bleeping” Boone for the time being and, barring a major meltdown, should get a chance to be Cleveland’s everyday 3b in 2007.

There was a time when Marte was all Braves fans could talk about. He was considered the team’s best prospect. But the Braves needed a shortstop this season after they lost Rafael Furcal to the Dodgers, so they traded Marte to the Red Sox for Edgar Renteria (who has been awesome) and the Sox went and traded Marte to the Indians for Coco (who has been good when healthy).

Now Marte is finally getting his big break. Indians fans, hold your collective breath.