FanHouse

The Atlanta Braves are known for stocking their lineup with homegrown prospects, from Chipper Jones to Brian McCann, from Jeff Francoeur to Yunel Escobar. But if I were a major league GM, Atlanta's farm system is the last place I'd look when brainstorming a potential trade. Why? Because they have an uncanny knack for only dealing prospects who don't pan out.

Remember the hype that once surrounded Dan Meyer? He was supposed to be the next great Braves ace; now he's a 26-year-old A's farmhand. What about Wilson Betemit? Once considered the best prospect in baseball, he's now a mere utility man, and not a very good one at that.

Perhaps the most damning example of the Braves selling a guy while his value was high is Andy Marte. In the winter after the 2005 season, he was considered one of the top prospects in the game and was the centerpiece of two blockbuster trades, first going to Boston in a package for Edgar Renteria and then to Cleveland in a package for Coco Crisp.

Since then? The guy's put in two uninspiring minor league seasons while hitting just .196 in 291 big league at-bats, including one hit in 13 at-bats this year. Once considered the team's third basemen of the future, he could be hours away from being the third baseman of the past: the Buffalo News reports that the Indians may designate Marte or Jason Michaels for assignment to make room for the arrival of Ben Francisco, a fringe prospect who likely projects as a fourth outfielder. But should Marte really be considered a real disappointment or just another Braves' triumph?