The Angels are signing infielder Jake Lamb to a minor league contract, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link). Lamb’s deal would come with a $1.25MM base salary if he cracks the major league roster, reports Sam Blum of the Athletic (on Twitter). Blum adds that Lamb would be able to opt out of the deal if he’s not in the majors by July 1.
Lamb is hoping to reach the MLB level for a tenth straight year in 2023. The left-handed hitter was an everyday third baseman with the Diamondbacks for a few seasons, combining for 59 home runs between 2016-17. Things went downhill after he sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery, however, and he’s worked more as a journeyman in recent years.
Over the past three seasons, Lamb has appeared at the major league level with six different clubs (Arizona, Oakland, White Sox, Toronto, Dodgers and Seattle). He split the 2022 campaign between Los Angeles and Seattle, going to the Mariners in a deadline trade. Lamb combined for a .216/.315/.392 line in 111 MLB plate appearances between the two clubs. He struck out in a massive 34.2% of plate appearances but walked at a quality 9.9% clip while picking up three homers and six doubles.
Lamb had started well in Los Angeles but tailed off upon landing in the Pacific Northwest, and the Mariners designated him for assignment in September. He cleared waivers, reached minor league free agency and finished the season unsigned. Now 32, he’ll look to get back to the highest level as a lefty bench bat in Orange County. Lamb broke into the majors as a third baseman but has seen increasing action at first base and in the corner outfield in recent years. He’s a bat-first depth option, one who had an impressive .290/.395/.537 showing in 61 Triple-A games in the Dodgers organization this year.
The Halos also recently inked left-hander Jhonathan Diaz to a minor league contract, according to Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America. The 26-year-old returns to the organization where he’s spent the past two years. Signed to a non-roster deal over the 2020-21 offseason, Diaz made the majors late in the ’21 campaign. He pitched three times for the Halos that year and logged four more appearances this past season. At year’s end, the Angels opted not to tender him a contract. That sent him directly to free agency without first exposing him to waivers, and the Halos quickly circled back to ink him to a new minor league pact that didn’t require a 40-man spot.
Diaz has a 3.49 ERA in 28 1/3 MLB innings to date. He’s started five of seven outings, inducing grounders at a solid 47.1% clip but not managing impressive strikeout or walk rates. Diaz has only fanned 16% of opponents while averaging 91.4 MPH on his fastball. He’d succeeded more on the strength of his control in the minors, though he’s walked 13.6% of MLB batters faced. He’ll presumably return to Salt Lake, where he has a 4.76 ERA over the last two years, as rotation depth.
I though we were bringing in Chapman to close?
Jake was good at one point, but I think we’ve reached the silence of the Lamb
He started counting sheep and fell asleep at the plate.
Hahahaha Just give me one of his legs!
Chapman’s leg?????
Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck
Not baaaaaaad, Curly.
No bleeting in the forums!!
Perry had a little Lamb, little Lamb, little Lamb,
Perry had a little Lamb without getting fleeced.
In like a Lamb…
So you are saying he no longer has the chops!
Where did you gear about Chapman to the Angels rumors? I want him for Texas.
TJ, didn’t Chapman become the pariah of BB by refusing to show up for a Yankee workout?
Curly, it sure appears so. I forgot all about the guy until I saw his name in the article. I thought he was still under contract. Free Agent?!?? Guess people think he has nothing left in the tank..
His attitude certainly isn’t in the tank…
My guess is he wants too much for anyone to take a gamble with him.
I’d gamble on him if the dice was right…
I’d take him back. Even half as good is better than most of the bullpen before Diaz.
Physical got red-flagged. Angels seeking dermatologist second-opinion.
It seems like just yesterday that he was an untouchable prospect with the Diamondbacks.
Is Jake an alternate juror? For when Drury is out?
Anaheim has had a solid off-season.
Manny, I’m starting to like your humor/sarcasm, but don’t bogart that joint…
The wsox got Lamb because of his hr power. For every 100 ab, he might have hit one over the wall. Even the wsox took noticed and dfa’d him.
Many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures embrace the consumption of Lamb. While there are plenty of methods to prepare the meat, I have yet to come across a Lamb cupcake or Lamb cookie. I may try to create one to post on my socials.
Just stick to Lamb Sliders!
Lamb sliders don’t make history books. I want to be remembered as the man who created Lamb pudding.
You try out the pudding and I’ll try the lamb pop tarts!
You’re trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
You are just being sheepish now!
You guys are freaking me out! As of tonight, I’m on the lamb…
Was trying to cheer ewe up. Does he drive a Lamb-orgini?
Fleece Navidad!
Curly, I always assumed you were a fugitive anyway! Nyuk Nyuk!!!
Fleece Navidad! Hahahaha, you can’t bleet that!
Curly once stated “my dad was a dancer, he died dancing at the end of a rope”
You forgot the C in Nyuck. C what I mean?
That’s what I get for attempting a cheap imitation at the real thing! I’ll leave the nyucking to a seasoned pro such as yourself!
You done good TJ. I love it when humor overrules bitterness & anger
It’s funny because there are people in the Correa posts proclaiming we are depraved heathens for making the jokes we have about him. But I gotta say, I really saw nothing in there that could even be remotely construed as “mean spirited” or malicious. I think it’s all pretty funny stuff and haven’t really seen anyone cross the line. Correa is just the man of the moment.
I get you TJ, there can be some angry, nasty people who post. This thread is a proclamation on how humorous & clever folks can be. Thanks to you, Manny, Slider, Ruff Country & others, this was a tickler for me. Post on you clowns, I feed on it.
Peace out (yes I am a hippy & look like Billy Gibbons)…
look like Billy Gibbons, actually before he started wearing a women’s bathing cap, I still got the hair…
I couldn’t imagine you looking any other way. Almost like a young Justin Turner hahaha
You’re correct, the luck of the ……….adopted
We could use you down @ some Dodger games as kind of a “stand in” for JT…To keep morale up after his departure ya know? You don’t have to play 3B or anything (unless you want to of course). Just gallivant around the stadium while people point and woop at you…You’ll get perks….Hot dogs…Beverages…Overstock jerseys and sweaters from years and players past…And we’ll issue you a security detail so you aren’t hounded for autographs..
How bout it old sport??
I’m still chuckling at fleece Navidad…
Did you say free hotdogs?
Tube steaks?
You’ve tickled my appetite. I could be the English viking, Erik the village idiot, I like it…
“Erik the village idiot” hahahahahahahahahhaha
If the metal helmet with bull horns sticking out fits, wear it, I’m game, just like the roadkill I picked up. Danish delight..
That’s all we need is the feds mistaking you for the Viking @ The Capitol!!
There is a reason you’ve never come across that….
Sick.
My understanding was that Jed H and Cubs had target Chapman to make a return trip to Chicago IL
Nice. Salt Lake is pretty barren, particularly on the position player front.
You hope not to need these guys, but they are better than what we’ve had.
If Jared Walsh is not ready to start the season i could see Lamb cracking the roster as a LH option at 1B while also being able to cover the OF corners
More lambs to the slaughter.
The good news is neither is expected to see any big league action this year.
Sure, it’s worth a try with this team.
Lefthanded bat who can play all four corner spots. Platoon only. Risk free.
It wasn’t that long ago when pickups like this were expected to make the team…Justin Bour anyone?
Underwhelming.
Sadly, I recall when Jake Lamb was an impressive young player and it’s too bad his career didn’t live up to the excitement of his early prowess. Back then he was a guy you wished was on your team.
Lamb wudda been a good player for the Tigers to roll the dice on at 3B. I’m still waiting for them to improve the offense somehow!!
Brian Anderson is still available.
Apparently, they also brought back lefty Jake Kalish on a minor league deal.
Lamb is a good example of how bad shoulder injuries are