Former Dodgers Infielder Signs MiLB Deal With Pirates
In the offseason, veteran free agents are always looking for the best possible situation to latch on somewhere.
Depending on their successes or struggles, these players might have to prove themselves during spring training. The best possible situation might come with a young team still aspiring to contend for a postseason spot. Any guarantee of playing time might be scant, but they'll get a chance to play while offering a positive influence in an inexperienced clubhouse.
This appears to be the case for 2017 All-Star Jake Lamb.
The former Dodgers infielder has played for eight organizations in the last four seasons, and now has a chance to join a new franchise. Lamb spent the vast majority of his career (2014-20) with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In 2016 and 2017, Lamb hit at least 29 HRs and drove in 91 runs, but hasn't come close to those numbers since.
After leaving Arizona, Lamb bounced around to several clubs (Oakland, Chicago, Toronto). He joined the Dodgers on a minor-league deal prior to the 2022 season, had a strong spring training, and spent nearly three months with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Lamb played 25 games at the major league level with the Dodgers in 2022, batting .239 with a .338 on-base percentage and .433 slugging percentage. He was traded to Seattle in August of that year and signed with the Angels after the season. He saw time in 18 major league games last season with Anaheim.
Considering the low expectations of the Pirates, there's a real chance Lamb could end up making their Opening Day roster. Pittsburgh hasn't qualified for the postseason since 2015.
