Letting go a risky proposition

When general managers make deals involving highly touted prospects, they cross their fingers and hope and pray the guy they gave up isn't the second coming of Brooks Robinson, Jeff Bagwell, Willie Mays, or Roger Clemens.

The best-case scenario is the old baseball adage that it was a deal ''that worked out well for both teams," which happens on occasion.

The Red Sox parted with shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez and pitching prospect Anibal Sanchez and two other lower-level pitchers (Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia) to acquire rising star Josh Beckett (along with reliever Guillermo Mota and third baseman Mike Lowell), who at age 25 has already won a World Series.

They also dealt top third base prospect Andy Marte, whom they had acquired in the Edgar Renteria deal with the Braves, and catcher Kelly Shoppach to Cleveland in a six-player trade that brought outfielder Coco Crisp, 26, who is entering his prime years.

Watching Marte, Shoppach, Ramirez, or Sanchez develop into an excellent player would not be as painful if Beckett and Crisp develop into superstars.

Of course, each team has its own needs, and the expectations are different.

The two-time world champion Florida Marlins have occasionally lapsed into rebuilding mode, as they did this offseason. And at the center is Ramirez, whom new manager Joe Girardi will pencil in as his starting shortstop.

The Indians, deep with young players and established young outfielders, could afford to part with Crisp if it meant bringing aboard Marte, who is expected to eventually be Aaron Boone's replacement at third base. And Shoppach gives the Indians a potential top backup to All-Star Victor Martinez.

Suffice to say, before a pitch has been thrown in the '06 season, all parties are quite satisfied.

''I think Andy has given us even more than we anticipated," said Indians manager Eric Wedge. ''He's got a quick bat, power, a great idea of the strike zone. Defensively he's done a very good job, and almost as important for me is his character. He's stepped in right here and embraced our program and has been very coachable."

Marte, who hit .359 with one homer and nine RBIs this spring, will start the season with Triple A Buffalo. Wedge believes that Marte could benefit from playing every day at Triple A, especially in the field, where, according to scouts, Marte is still stiff at times.

''I told Andy that he did everything we could ask of him," said Wedge. ''I told him that we thought very highly of him and that he would have his day up here. And I told him that would be soon.

''I think what I saw was an excellent mentoring situation with Aaron. Boone is the consummate team player and he did everything he could to help Andy out and make him feel comfortable knowing that Andy is a big prospect. That's the unselfish nature of Aaron Boone in a nutshell."

Wedge laughed at reports that Marte might have had elbow problems before the Indians acquired him.

''Never heard that and there was no evidence of it," Wedge said.

Shoppach is battling Einar Diaz for the backup job. Wedge has been impressed with Shoppach's defensive skills this spring. He did not commit an error, while Diaz committed four.

''[Shoppach's] got a quick release, he's a good receiver, and he handles a game very nicely," Wedge said. ''He's got power at the plate and he's willing to do whatever is necessary to get better. I've been very impressed with him and his attitude."

Shoppach, who went 0 for 15 in a short stint in Boston last season but hit 26 homers at Pawtucket, started spring training 2 for 24 in his first 11 games, but has picked up his production.

In Florida, Girardi has also come to appreciate Ramirez's love of the game and his desire to be a major leaguer.

''He works very hard," Girardi said. ''You can tell how much he wants it. And this spring training he's opened our eyes. We feel he's ready to step in at the major league level and be our shortstop, and I know how much that means to him."

Ramirez was in competition with middle infield prospect Robert Andino, but clearly outshined him. Andino was optioned to Triple A Albuquerque this week and is being moved to second base.

In a perfect world, Ramirez would have gotten at least a half-season of Triple A, but the Marlins' future is now.

''One of my dreams is to play in the big leagues," Ramirez said recently. ''I'm here for that reason. I appreciate the chance and I tried to make the best of it as I could."

Girardi said Ramirez exceeded his expectations.

''Everything we heard about him was that he was a complete player and there wasn't anything he couldn't do, " said Girardi. ''He's done a lot of great things in camp."

One of them was a 3-for-3 game against the Red Sox March 8 when Ramirez seemed infused with adrenaline playing against his former team. Ramirez has made all of the routine plays, a few spectacular ones, and has seemed to mature the last 12 months.

It started last spring training when Renteria took him under his wing in Sox camp. A strong bond developed. And Ramirez, who is 6 feet 3 inches, 195 pounds, is being compared to a young Renteria, who also starred as a shortstop in Florida.

Sanchez, the slim righthander whom the Sox hated to part with, was bothered by tendinitis at times during spring training. The Marlins love his potential and have been toying with converting him to a short reliever to maximize his live 95-mile-per-hour fastball and drop-dead curveball. But for now it appears Sanchez could start at Double A, though if his arm is sound, he could rise quickly. Garcia and Delgado could also move swiftly through the organization.

In this risky business of trading away prospects, the judging starts next week.