Twins Sign Mike Lamb

My Clam

Honestly, I don't understand it. I get the Everett deal because he can help young pitchers build confidence, but Lamb is below average defensively at 3B despite his decent bat. For a re-building team (with plenty of trading chips to acquire a 3B that fits their status) I don't think I agree with this signing ... especially this early in the offseason.

Good signing. Lamb's got a heck of a bat and is pretty good in the clutch. His defense is horrible, but if Adam Everett's next to him, its impact will be lessened. He's good to have off the bench, too, if they decide to stick him there.

I'm happy that he and Adam have wound up in the same place. Best of luck to them both.

AJ- Think the key here is just what you said. If they're rebuilding, why trade your young talent. Lamb probably came on the cheap, and next to Everett his defensive deficiencies will be masked, to a degree. I think this was a pretty good fit for the Twins. Like it.

Not sure I like a player option for 2010 though.

I really like what Bill Smith has done this off-season, he's actually much more proactive than his predecessor Terry Ryan ever was and he's not afraid of changing the dynamic of the team instead of bringing back the Rondell Whites and the Nick Puntos, something that Ryan just loved to do.

C- Joe Mauer
1B- Justin Morneau
2B- Brendan Harris/Alexi Casilla
SS- Adam Everett
3B- Mike Lamb
RF- Delmon Young
LF- Michael Cuddyer
CF- Craig Monroe/Jason Pridie
DH- Jason Kubel/Craig Monroe

Obviously, they're probably going to continue to rebuild their entire team with the impending trade of Johan Santana so it should be interesting which other pieces they pick up in the near future. I don't know about you guys, but I really like the options this team has offensively.

I mean, you have to consider it a good signing because while the twins are trading away pieces, they could still contend through 2010 as young as they are. I like ths signing, you get a good bat for cheap, while also, as was said, you do not have to give up prospects.

This is what people don't get about MMP. The park itself is fairly neutral and is not much of a launching pad due to the black hole in center field. For left handed hitters, the power alley measures about 365 feet to the fences. So please at least look at the dimensions of the park before saying something like MMP would boost Mike Lamb's stats. If he were right handed, I could definitely see that. Mike Lamb doesn't get a lot of playing time because management does not feel he can be an everday player. His best numbers always came from off the bench. We tried playing him more in 2006 and it turned into a disaster.

good pick up for the Twins, although defensively Lamb is below average, he is an upgrade offensively for the Twins, I'm glad to see him get a chance to start everyday. I wish the Astros would have kept him but he deserves a chance and i'm glad he can do it along side Adam Everett, two good guys, wish them the best.

Good pick up for the Twins, as an Astro fan I will miss him more than anyone they traded or let go this offseason. It was my opinion that they never should have traded for Ty Wigginton they should have given Lamb the job, but what do I know???

I like the signing but am torn. The reason I am torn is I am curious about Santana and Nathan. If the Twins trade Santana to the Red Sox they will first get Elsbury. If they do get Elsbury now where do they play him. I would have to think that Cuddy would go back to 3b and Elsbury would roam CF but the outfiled would be crowded with Elsbury. Also if they trade Nathan could they get a different 3b and a prospect?

Or on a different tact.. could the Twins actually make a reasonable offer to Santana? With the new additions could it entice Santana to stay? Could they start to spend a bit more in preparation for their new digs? I mean Santana/Lirano/Bonser/Baker is not too shabby. They don't necessarily have to give up on 08. Unless Lirano wont be back soon.

But then again build around Lirano, Mauer, Morneau, and Cuddy and dump the talent for prospects may not be a bad idea to prep for the new stadium. I am so confused by this team right now.

Oh Kirby what should they do...

I am beginning to wonder if the Twins might be setting themselves up to play for the division in 2008.

If they either just retain or resign Santana, they will have a better team than they had in 2007. Add in the return of Liriano and, hopefully, Mauer and Morneau regaining 2006 form, they could easily win 95 games.

At a minimum, it makes that prospect possible. That should increase the pressure on Boston et al. to up their Santana offers.

I completely agree. This completely sets them up with Santana, especially coupled with the Haren trade.

If they just sign a CF now like Cameron (and have someone else play CF for 25 games, even Young) then they can compete this year. And they don't "need" to deal him. The Twins' leverage has increased by an incredible amount in the last 2 days.

Actually I think this Signing means they are not going to be trading Santana and are going to make a run at it.

If Monroe can Bounce back a bit he's a great signing I think. Lamb is a forsure upgrade offensively. I also think their Overall Defense wasn't hurt too much at all. If Young has a good season this team will be better then it was last year.