Feb. 23: The Braves announced their one-year deal with Lamb. While it is technically a Major League deal, it’s also a non-guaranteed deal, per the team. That means Lamb could yet be cut in Spring Training for only a portion of his salary. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that salary to be $1MM.
Feb. 21: The Braves are in agreement on a contract with corner infielder Jake Lamb, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com (Twitter link). It’s expected to be a major league pact, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). The deal is pending a physical. Lamb is a client of CAA Sports.
Lamb once looked like a building block for the Diamondbacks, with whom he began his career. Between 2016-17, he hit .248/.345/.498 with 59 home runs, earning an All-Star berth in the latter season. Unfortunately, the left-handed slugger was plagued by a shoulder issue that eventually required surgery in 2018, knocking him off course. Over the past three seasons, Lamb has just a .205/.309/.351 line with 15 homers across 563 plate appearances. That led Arizona to release him last September.
To his credit, Lamb hooked on with the Athletics after being cut loose by the Diamondbacks and hit very well down the stretch. That production came over just thirteen games on the heels of two-plus seasons of subpar performance, though, so it seems unlikely he’s completely regained his footing at the plate.
The Braves needn’t get his return to peak form for this to make for a worthwhile addition, though. Lamb won’t see much action at first base, thanks to the presence of reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman, but third base was a problem area last season. The combination of Austin Riley, Johan Camargo and the since-departed Adeiny Hechavarría struggled to varying degrees at the plate. Lamb isn’t a sure thing to produce himself, but he’ll bring a left-handed bat with some power to the mix, which could pair well with the right-handed hitting Riley. Non-roster invitees Jason Kipnis and Ehire Adrianza will try to work their way onto the roster during spring training, as well.
kinds interesting he could still leverage a big league deal at this point. nice add.
Bold prediction: This is gunna be the steal of the offseason. Lamb will return to his 2016 form. I’m also not the biggest believer in RIley, so Braves fan will still hate me.
Def has the potential to work out well. I like Riley, but I think this is his last year to prove it. Otherwise, Atlanta needs to go a different direction in 2022.
Maybe a Kris Bryant or if Arenado were to become available again (doubtful given cost) or a trade for Jose Ramirez.
Braden Shewmake could be another. He’s currently a SS with a large frame/3B build (with a few more pounds), but capable of making the switch. He’s a contact hitter but has gotten hitting comps to Yelich/LeMahieu, which is not your typical 3B, but definitely the type of hitter ATL desperately needs without Kakes.
Lol I’m a Braves fan and he’s not been compared to yelich or lemhieu
blogs.fangraphs.com/braves-prospect-braden-shewmak…
Silly comment bravesiowafan, but this could be a sneaky, interesting signing. Lamb was a force at one time. I raise my glass hoping he will regain his prowess once again. It’s worth a try.
Another Duvall?
Boom, roasted Bravesiowafan!
My bad bravesiowafan, your post was about a farfetched post from RunDMC. Your LOL was justified! Sometimes when I speed read my eyes get ahead of my brain!
Read the provided link (up top in this thread) with an interview from a couple of days ago and read one of the comps from the man himself. Comps are broad strokes to give fans ideas about mechanics and/or build (Yelich) and attack-approach (LeMahieu), but obviously, this is a kid at the start of his career compared to some of the best in the sport. Through his first 2.5 MLB seasons (1458 PA), Yelich had only 20 total HR, despite making solid contact. It wasn’t until age-24 (2016) that he developed and surpassed that total in 1 season with 21 HR. In the interview, Shewmake talks about his goal of targeting XBH and playing the gaps where a HR is a mistake. Look at LeMahieu’s spray chart and tell me LeMahieu isn’t doing just that.
A bold statement RunDMC, You maybe right years from now, but it looks weak now. Be sure to send me the “I told you so” text when it comes to be so.
Surprised it’s expected to be a major league deal…. good bench piece I guess, but would rather it be a minor league deal that he has to earn that spot
He will be a backup for Riley and a pinch hitter against righties. Im a Nats fan but isn’t Rileys defense bad, Lamb could be defensive replacement
No Riley is very good defensively. Just stick to your own team
@chipper tf you so mad. I was asking a question. No need to be a dic about it.
And Riley has a canon arm – over 90 mph as a high school pitcher.
Yeah, that was unnecessary..Sorry about that, not all Braves fans are like that.
Riley started out as just being a 3b that had a cannon of an arm, but had some surprisingly solid range with stone hands..lol
Since working with Ron Washington, Riley has gotten ALOT better!! Now, he’s making all the routine plays, and even making some of the plays he shouldn’t. He won’t ever be a GG kind of guy, but he has steadily improved each and every season. So much so, from my own eye test, I’d say he is at least an average if not slightly above average third baseman..
Thats just my take though, I’m sure analytics very well could say otherwise..??
@Bravesfan88
“A lot” is two words. I don’t care how you spell it, but when you choose to emphasize it in all caps—I figured I could at least fill you in.
Then use a question mark you dic.
His range isn’t great but his glove is very solid. Most of his errors were on throws.
Riley is average-y defensively. Doesn’t really warrant a defensive replacement
Just use the word “average”.
Yes Riley’s defense is bad. Lamb’s is bad too so he is not a defensive replacement.
Riley’s career stats at 3B:
UZR/150 = -9.2
DRS = -7
Lamb’s career stats at 3B:
UZR/150 = -5.1
DRS = 4 (If you remove his 2015 season it is -9)
Those stats are subjective- just a fat kid with glasses making judgement calls and typing into a computer.
Regardless of what others say, Riley is solid over there. His range is what ultimately hurts him but he handles the position solid enough. He’s no defensive superstar, but he gets the job done. I think is fans overvalue his defense because he was expected to be rough over there coming up the system, and kinda shocked us how well he handled himself there. Think fans of other teams had low expectations for him coming up also
Riley is okayish on defense, the reason people think he’s better than he is at defense is because the bat is so poor.
Just use the word “okay”. Use words that actually exist. You’re typing like a 13 year-old girl.
nice pickup hopefully….how about that Pen tho? We seriously rolling with 77 in ‘high leverage’ situations this year?!
I’m still hoping they resign Shane Greene yet to a short term deal.
Some reports that NYM was circling him after Lugo injury…
Need to 100% upgrade the pen to maintain last years status. Greene is a starting point and honestly a must. I really don’t care if we give him a multi year deal, but would prefer no more than 2-3 :/
There are still a bunch of good relief options left on the market. Greene should get around 3-4m. I’d prefer the Braves take a flier on a pitcher with a higher K-rate. Or a couple. Pen definitely needs some work. Maybe they’re counting on some of their failed starters filling in.
I’m a Greene believer. We need another bullpen piece or two and he should be the first considered. Closer capabilities. We haven’t had the luxury of a full season with him yet.
Great Pickup. Really solid for the A’s last year. Solid bench bat.
you sure he isnt getting the Majority of 3B at bats until Waters/Pache come up?
Pache is going to be the starting CF. Ozuna, Pache & Acuna in the OF this year. Could possibly see Waters in September, I suppose. There’s no way Riley is on the OF grass, if that’s the thought.
That said, if Riley struggles, I could see Lamb getting some time at 3B on the regular. If he shows up Oakland Lamb, he’d be okay.
My thinking is Riley didnt exactly nail down the 3B job last year and at least has the ability to play some OF if someone needs a sub.
You’re right, Riley didn’t nail down 3B by any stretch. Being it was his bat and not the glove though, I think he’s either taking reps at 3B or in the minors. Subbing him as a LF really wouldn’t do much, IMO. It’d just further hinder his rhythm.
“If he shows up Oakland Lamb, he’d be okay.”
How many times do you need to be wrong about small sample sizes before you stop using them? Oakland Lamb only played 13 regular season games and only played against the Dodgers (1 for 11) and the “elite” pitching staffs of Seattle, Colorado and San Fran. He got his homers off guys who aren’t in MLB anymore. He then went 1 for 7 in the postseason. He. Is. Not. Good.
That being said, he’s only on ATL if any of the COF, Freeman or Riley gets hurt and for that, he’s whatever, ATL actually doesn’t have much internally on this specific type of player on their farms. It’s not a bad add, but using 13 games to base ANYTHING off of, let alone “analysis” is extremely bad.
>He got his homers off guys who aren’t in MLB anymore
Sam Selman resents your comment!
Marty has made this dumb argument several times. It’s in his greatest hits of dumb arguments. He’s made because the cute boys won’t look at him because he is hefty hefty hefty! Portion size is your friend Marty McGravy!
or maybe Riley is part of a deal we dont know about just yet
Could be, but I don’t see it as especially likely. If the Braves were going to upgrade now, it’d be at 3B. That’s the potential weak spot. You do that though by flipping Riley, you really don’t need Lamb.
I just think it’s insurance if Riley struggles.
and that is the most likely scenario. weak spot isn’t 3rd though its the pen and the back of the rotation is very unproven. Kyle Wright figured something out but can he do for 85% of his starts
Atlbootus, 3rd is absolutely the weak spot. The rotation is improved by sddi g Soroka back from injury and Morton/Smyly through FA. The bullpen is still solid. Melancon was no big loss as he was constantly a heartburn closer. I’d still like to see Greene back because they need another RHP but Minter, Smith, Martin, and the other lefty who’s name just left me is a solid core. Pache will be just fine with the bat in time but his defense is what matters most right now.
Pache will be opening day CF.
part of me says hr probably will, but im just suggesting that they could also keep him down and then later recall him if they want a greater OF mix.
@darkside what’s the greater outfield mix? Pache is a top 5 prospect in baseball with best rated defense in minors 3 years in a row. We signed ozuna and acuna ain’t leaving the outfield. So what’s is this greater outfield you speak of
The sky is Blue……lol
Pache is the starting center fielder.
…he played 13 games for OAK — not even a full payweek. I bet the accounting department was none too happy to see that short tenure come to an end with the labor/hours involved in onboarding.
how many innings did Smyly pitch to earn a 11m offer? Jake lamb is the same as Smyly when it comes to risk, but hes actually had complete allstar level seasons, Smyly has been hurt half his career, im not sure hes ever made it a full season
Smyly pitched 25.1 more IP than Kluber — both getting the same deal (1/11M). The obvious differences being Smyly is ~3 years younger with a lot less mileage and accolades (2 Cy Youngs) than Kluber. Trust your scouts.
Good platoon piece for Riley. I expect him to crush with the Braves, and they will put him in a good position to succeed.
Rather sheepish signing in my view.
Get ready to see the Lamb Chop.
Yeah, when he doesn’t produce and is chopped from the roster.
lmao
I wonder if he will be baaaaaaashful after he hits a walk off.
I know this is a good move, you can’t pull the wool over my eyes that easily.
Really gives the Braves some flexibility to pair with Riley at 3rd. With AA, sure it’s a 1 year deal. Better than Camargo
MY DUDE! There he is. Was wondering where he’d end up after that small resurgence he had with the A’s.
I’m throwing guesses here but I think the fact that he actually had guys to feed off of in Oakland in terms of bats/run support totally helped. He’ll get the same in Atlanta, even if it’s only a platoon/bench. Guys still got a few years left in him.
That “small resurgence” literally is because he ran into homers off the “elite” pitching of Brady Lail, Sam Selman and Yoshihisa Hirano, and he did literally nothing else.
Why on earth would anyone use a 13 game small sample to make any kind of comment about any player? Especially against late September pitching, when AAAA and guys on their last legs are on the mound?
Man, I absolutely love the people on this website. What about Senzatela? Marquez? Dustin May? Giolito? I don’t think they’re “AAAA” or on their “last legs.”
“Small resurgence” doesn’t have to mean cranking balls into the second deck 24/7 dude. That 13-game small sample size could ABSOLUTELY 100% be used to make a comment that the dude still has gas, and the dude can still produce hits, runs, get on base, etc.
Snitker has already said it’s no guarantee Pache opens the season on the ML roster. Lamb could play 3B in a timeshare with Camargo and Sandoval and Reilly could move to LF if Pache is in the minors on opening day
I think that’s largely talk to motivate Pache and not discourage Ender. I mean if Pache hits .101 in Spring Training, maybe? All the moving around you suggested weakens the team as a whole, though.
They’d just play Ender in CF in that event though, probably. That is far from ideal, but Ozuna is playing LF… and that’s the only OF spot Riley has played.
any chance they are a darkhorse for JBJ so they can keep Pache down for flexibility?
Again dark side Pache is a top 5 prospect in baseball considered ready for MLB. Rated the best defender in the minors the last 3 years. We would never sign jbj And handicap our outfield. We have another top 25 prospect in Waters and ozuna is locked into LF this season it would make no sense to sign jbj to a multi year contract. The Braves would rather have patches defense even if he doesn’t hit this year to be able to manage ozuna in the outfield
No way Lamb makes the MLB roster, he’s only there for ST injuries. He’s not better than Sandoval, Camargo or Riley.
I doubt he’s only there for depth. They signed him to a major league deal and is likely in competition with Camargo and Sandoval for a corner infield bench sport.
You do realize that it’s expected to be a major-league deal, right?
Pretty much Duvall V2 except he has more promise.
That’s a complete lie. Duvall is excellent, Lamb is trash.
I’m sure he’s better than u get out of here troll
Too much credit: Marty looks up to trolls!
Duvall is excellent at what exactly? He’s not a bad player but his plate discipline and contact rate are atrocious.
He’s a gold glove defender
Braves iowa, he was a gold glove defender, not anymore
Did Jake steal your lunch money once, Marty? Girlfriend maybe? You are salty over this.
The Braves have done so little to strengthen their bench, so this is a welcome move. But they still need another outfielder/bench bat. Josh Reddick maybe?
As is stands Inciarte is the 4th outfielder with Riley being able to fill in on left if needed
With Desmond opting out COL saves $8M (net $6M including his inevitable $2M buyout). If they wanted to boost their farm, they could offer to take Inciarte off ATL’s hands for a few million ($1M-$2M or international draft slot money) and prospect(s). Tapia could play LF, where Desmond was slated, though they do have some young guys they could use – they need someone to cover all that territory in CF. ATL saves a few million, they could use on a bullpen spot, free up a roster spot for someone else, Lamb could be the 4th OF (slotting Acuna over to CF, when necessary).
Yeah I’ve been hoping for a team that, through some reason, needs to add an of during spring training or a swap with an over priced pen arm to move Ender. This scenario would be an ideal and logic situation. All feel they hold onto ender for a bit in spring to build some Condit Pache is ready. As soon as you trade, or just release, Ender its pretty much set that Pache is the answer
Yeah, some have said that by keeping Inciarte, you have a clear explanation to keep Pache down, saving millions in the long-run spent on Inciarte’s dead contract. That’s a ridiculous stretch, but everyone’s favorite home game is “Jump to Conclusions: Home Edition.”
Oh I definitely don’t want to have Ender around to suppress spending. I believe it’s almost certain Pache starts the year in center. Just nice to have a little insurance just in case. I really want Ronald to be able to anchor in right and focus on just there going forward. Unless they drop Demeritte from the 40 man it will be interesting to see what they do to add Lamb. Maybe (fingers crossed) something is in the works with Ender
Keep Pache down for a few weeks to add a year to the backside of FA ???
Assuming the CBA does not change next year
I thought he would sign with the Mets. During the parade he could recline all the way back in his seat. That way the Lamb lies down on Broadway.
Not a baaaaaaaaaaad signing.
Jake the rake
Zzzzzzzz
depth seems to be Atlanta’s biggest need so this sure helps
This is their lefty off the bench (no DH). The signing has more to do with 1st base than 3rd. They didn’t have anyone on their bench that could play 1st. Inciarte will be in the outfield if Pache isn’t there on opening day.
Their bench looks like Lamb, Camargo, Kipnis, Inciarte, and Alex Jackson. Frankly, I’m hoping their pitchers are working on their hitting.
BTW, Lamb since 2018 OPS around .670 with 15 HRs Riley .736 OPS with 26 HRs and is 6 years younger.
Unless you’re projecting him as a starter (God help ATL if he is), you forgot Sandoval in that mix
Sandoval likely won’t make the roster. They’re just hoping he has something left.
Hopefully Contreras is the backup catcher instead of Jackson.
I can see Lamb as a depth move but a major league signing? He must have one hell of an agent.
The Braves are one of those teams that always seems to get the best out of free agents. I’m expecting a pretty nice year for him.
Like a good neighbor, Jake Lamb is there! Nice insurance but it kinda suggests that confidence in Austin Riley might be diminishing from the Bravos POV?
It’s strictly a depth signing. He can play first and third and they needed a lefty with pop off the bench.
It’s not a bad signing. They need a lefty with pop off the bench and he’ll be cheap. He can also play both corners in the infield so that’s a plus.
Think Kipnis is out before he was in.
Good signing. So can get Bryant if wanted to.
I had him going back to the A’s, as I did with La Stella. I like this signing for the Braves, potentially solid fallback option if Riley struggles or Freeman gets hurt.
Chicken burger ???
That’s so cute that you posted that random comment! We all think that you are SO witty!
You have to have some guys on the bench and Lamb has some pop. Who knows maybe some time in the cage with the hitting coaches can help Lamb.
I take Lamb over Sandavol and besides he eats less, should be in better condition.
And the Braves would save on the bill for club house catering
Chipper Jones will likely have a profound impact on our offense. Not just mechanics, but approach at the plate (thinking Riley and Camargo here)
Good rebound candidate but Atlanta needs a RH bat
He hasn’t been relevant since 2017. Good luck.
Atlanta signed themselves a Lamb,
whose stats are way too low.
Everywhere Atlanta plays,
that Lamb is sure to blow!
Kept wanting Lamb to rebound in Arizona. We gave him a contract where we should have cut bait instead. Then we cut him when his lingering injuries left him unproductive .Everybody had very high hopes but now he’s Atlanta’s deal. I’d like to see a return to form , seems like he’s healthier. I’m rooting for him.
Another depth signing. He could prove to be a useful bench piece but if not, no big deal.
Possibly a savvy pickup for the Braves. When this guy is on, he’s impressive.
Panda and some AAAA guys were our bench. Now, we’ve got Kipnis and Lamb to go along with Camargo. That’s light years ahead of where we were 2 weeks ago.
This dude needs Driveline badly
I hope his walk-up song is “The Song that Never Ends.”
Another power hitter who got decimated by shoulder surgery. Hope he can make it back but it’s clearly a long long road. The memory’s of what Matt Kemp coulda been are still haunting
Baaa
Will fans start up Lamb Chops when he comes to bat?
wow… that was really bad and I’m jealous I didn’t come up with it first.
Why is it that hoopsrumors.com never has a comment section this active? Could it be bla….. actually nvm. ^_^