Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Because the Indians made so few moves in the off season, the tendency is to think the club will perform about the same as it did in 2007. Most Tribe fans would love it if that were only true. It would be a mistake, however, to think that the Indians may not improve in 2008.

Personally, I don't think it will happen unless Ben Francisco puts up such impressive numbers in spring training that he forces his way into the Indians outfield. Francisco has much greater upside potential than, say, David Dellucci.

The other player who could make an impact -- but who probably won't -- is third baseman Andy Marte. The 24-year-old Marte came to the Indians in 2006 in the big deal with Boston for Coco Crisp. The Red Sox had acquired Marte, then a top prospect, from the Braves in exchange for Edgar Renteria. Tribe GM Mark Shapira thought Marte would anchor the hot corner for Cleveland well into the next decade, but, of course, it hasn't happened.

Marte is a talented player, but his swing is too long and he strikes out too often. He's also very streaky and can spend weeks in a slump. That's pretty much been his experience in the big leagues, where he's averaged only .201 during 94 games.

The Indians handed him the starting third baseman's job out of spring training in 2007, but he played like a complete stiff in the early-season cold weather and, after suffering an injury, was promptly replaced by Casey Blake. Marte spent almost all of the rest of the season at Buffalo.

Marte hit 16 home runs in 96 games for the Bisons, but batted only .267. It was virtually a duplicate of his numbers in Buffalo in 2006.

So, what's the story? Is Marte an overrated bum? Perhaps. But he might also be another Brandon Phillips, a talented young player the Tribe gave up on way too soon -- sending him to Cincinnati. Now he's a star.

Like Phillips, Marte is out of minor league options, which means unless the Indians keep him on the big league roster, they would likely lose him to another club. Already, Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball writer Paul Hoynes is writing that Shapira and Tribe manager Eric Wedge are underwhelmed by Marte's physical condition. He wasn't exactly as big as a house when he reported to camp at Winter Haven, but you might say he's as large as a garage.

Yes, it's disappointing, but the Indians learned their lesson when they jettisoned Phillips. They need to find a way to get into Marte's head and prepare him for the big leagues. Nobody cares how they do it. Perhaps they could put Travis Fryman on the job. He's part of the organization now, and if anybody knew the right way to play third base in the big leagues, Fryman did.

By the end of March, the Indians need to know if it's worth keeping Marte. If not, so be it. But if they move him out, they'd better be darned sure he's the next Russell Branyan.

Think of what it could mean to the club if Marte finds maturity and fulfills the promise that's always been predicted of him. At times, he's shown signs of being a pretty good glove man. If he can hit .265 in the big leagues, with, say, 20 homers and 75 runs batted in, that would be huge bonus for the Tribe.

Blake could help out in the outfield and at other positions, and the team would have much greater depth.

Realistically, Marte will probably turn out to be a disappointment, but this is spring -- a time of hope and dreams. If I was in Indians management, I'd push this guy as hard as humanly possibly to learn what he's made of. They might find they like what they see. And maybe Marte, unlike Phillips, will turn out to be a keeper.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: "A Christmas Story" is Jensen Lewis' favorite Christmas movie.

Today's quiz: Name the country where Andy Marte was born.

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-- Kevin Cuneo