The Diamondbacks have designated infielder Jake Lamb for assignment and selected infielder/outfielder Pavin Smith’s contract, per a team announcement.
Arizona has been Lamb’s only organization since he went in the sixth round of the 2012 draft, but it now looks as if his run with the club will end. Primarily a third baseman, Lamb looked like a legitimate building block for the Diamondbacks from 2016-17. He combined for above-average offense then and totaled 4.9 fWAR, adding 30 home runs in 2017 and earning his lone All-Star nod. However, thanks in part to shoulder problems, Lamb’s career took a negative turn the next season and hasn’t recovered since.
In 514 plate appearances going back to 2018, the 29-year-old Lamb has batted .199/.307/.330 with 12 home runs. He was amid a horrid season this year (.116/.240/.210 without a homer in 50 PA) before the Diamondbacks designated him. He was due to reach free agency in the offseason anyway, so the D-backs decided to cut the cord a few weeks early.
Smith, the No. 7 pick in the 2017 draft, signed a $5,016,300 bonus with the Diamondbacks on the heels of his selection. Despite his draft pedigree and the money he initially received, the former Virginia Cavalier is not regarded as a premium prospect anymore (Baseball America ranks him 18th in the D-backs’ system), though Smith did bat an impressive .291/.370/.466 in his first 506 Double-A plate appearances last year.
Hello D-backs, I would like to talk.
Question is whether he’s your 1B or 3B.
I could definitely see Lamb end up in Texas
I could see him playing in the sandlots
What a horrible break for Lamb… he looked like he had a promising career ahead of him, got injured and has never been the same… he has absolutely nothing left
What? He can still figure out with a new team. He still have a lot to prove. Man, he is just 29.
I loved Lamb but he’s toast. He could not recover from his shoulder, and a myriad of other, injuries. He’s got nothing left.
How the mighty have fallen… baseball can be rough sometimes
Blue Jays!
Shaw and Lamb are basically the same player except Shaw can run into a homer more often.
And Shaw can play a good 3rd base.
One might say he came in like a Lion and out like a Lamb…
…I’ll see myself out.
March out!:)
You beat me to it.
He went out as a failure
That’s not fair. He had 3 solid years from 2015-2017. Injuries to his shoulder and quads were the issue.
He’ll be a rebound candidate next year.
I do hope he rebounds as he is a good gy, but he has already been a rebound candidate for 3 years now.. He was an all star in 2017, but the second half he fell off a cliff.
Sorry no. The Dbacks have been waiting for him to rebound for 3 years. I could put together better AB’s than him.
Yeah, I’ll take the MLB experience even with an injury over any fan talking trash from this site.
I understand AZ moving on, and it’s possible injury issues will continue to plague him, but he’s going to get another opportunity.
So, yes he will be a rebound candidate.
He was an All-Star acouple years ago. Someone will pick him up. Atleast a good Left-Handed Bench bat for the play-offs. And plays multiple positions in 3B/1B..And I think he can play alittle corner OF too. Only 29 years old. Contract is alittle high next year; But a good Left-Handed Bench Bat for a play-off team.
Ohh he’s free agent in the summer. Ya, for sure a play-off team will claim him for a Left-Handed Bench Bat. I hope the Pirates sign him next year to a little one year deal. He’s only 29. New Scenery and he could turn it around.
Yankees may take a flyer, a lefty bat is something they can use, maybe catch Lamb in a Bottle
Type of guy the Brewers like to give a look to…
Lamb got sheered?
shut.
I could see the giants signing him next year for depth, especially if the DH sticks around
Next year? Farhan probably already put in a waiver claim, the Giants next reclamation project
No one is going to claim him: he is a free agent once this shortened season ends.
Better Lamb than the ancient and ineffective Justin Smoak
The giants have made some baffling decisions that defy the logic of what’s supposed to be a rebuild, but with Pablo gone this might even make sense this year if they think they have a shot at a post season.
Umm…How is a rebuild supposed to look? What is wrong with what they are doing?
I will always dislike Lamb for breaking up Bumgarners no hitter in 2016.
Who? Oh you are talking about Mason Saunders.
Smith bounced back well last year but im still happy the D-Backs let his teammate Haseley fall to us instead.
This guy is going to get claimed in short order.
No one is going to claim him: he is a free agent after the 2020 season.
High-on-fat Panda out, Lambchop in.
@Cey Hey Panda’s been hitting better than Lamb
That’s not saying much
Now that’s a poor attempt at humor.
Giants will sign him… Go Giants!!!
What a fall from grace but he is definitely better than that locastro character
Locastro contributes defensively and with his speed. He also reaches base due to is unusually high HBP total. If Locastro was DFA’ed, teams would be lining up for his services. He could help a team make this season’s watered-down playoff field. What does Lamb contribute?.
Never seen a D-backs game, huh?
Who me? I’ve seen plenty as a Dodger fan. The Dbacks are lousy, but Locastro has value because of his speed and decent OBP. He’s closing in on the record for most consecutive SBs at the start of a career. Lamb’s WAR over these past three years is 0.5. He looks done despite not turning 30 for another month. At best, he will probably be looking at minor league deal in 2021. He can otherwise try his hand overseas.
@Cey Hey comment was directed to lowtalker1
Imagine wanting to DFA the fastest player in baseball who has a .352 OBP.
Man, what a fall off
It took three seasons to realize that Lamb is a stiff? Get the GM a guide dog.
Cubs will be all over him. Guaranteed.
I remember discussion of an Andrew Susac for Jake Lamb prospect swap a few years ago. Each fan base would’ve scoffed at the time, but wonder how it would’ve materialized
Where is Yasmany Tomas ???????!,are you wasting 17 millones ,knowing that he is the best hitter in The organization?
OK, Yasmani’s mom.
Ok ,Lamb’s mom
Looks like the kind of signing Zaidi likes to do
Looks like he’s signing with the A’s. Vet to cover in Chapman’s (and now Pinder’s) absence.
Actually think it’s a win/win for the A’s…..Chapman & Pinder on the IL leaves only Machin (& perhaps La Stella) for the hot corner….Lamb may find his mojo. with a contending team…..perhaps have a chat to La Stella (what a stud = brilliant pick up) about how not to strike out….