Veteran players without a spot guaranteed are always searching for the best opportunity to latch on elsewhere over the summer. During spring training, these guys will have to prove themselves. Sometimes, young teams that won’t be competing for much take a chance on veteran players who have seen success in the past, using them as good role models for younger players in the clubhouse. It seems that Jake Lamb, a 2017 All-Star, is in this situation.
The former infielder with the Dodgers agreed to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the club having modest expectations, Lamb has a good chance of making the Opening Day roster. Lamb has spent the great part of his playing career with the Diamondbacks in Arizona. In two consecutive seasons (2016–17), he hit at least 29 home runs and drove in 91 RBIs. He hasn’t even approached those levels since then.
Lamb left Arizona and bounced about to clubs in Oakland, Chicago, and Toronto before spending a brief period of time with the Dodgers. He made the squad in 2022 as a result of his excellent spring training.
Lamb was traded to the Seattle Mariners after he hit.239 in 67 at-bats with two home runs and four RBIs. Lamb made a brief appearance for the Los Angeles Angels last season.
