First baseman Jake Lamb has exercised a clause in his minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, electing to become a free agent. Lamb had been playing for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis. Despite an invitation to spring training, Lamb was primarily considered a depth option, as the Pirates had signed Rowdy Tellez to a $3.2 million contract to play first base.
Tellez struggled at the start of the 2024 season, batting just .177/.239/.223 through the end of May. Meanwhile, Lamb began the Triple-A season on a tear, hitting .382/.486/.600 by the end of April, though his performance dipped to .289/.380/.416 after a tough June. Despite his strong start, Lamb never received a call-up as the Pirates remained committed to Tellez. With Tellez now improving to a .230/.289/.309 line, Lamb saw no future with the Pirates, prompting his decision to enter free agency.
Jake Lamb Elects Free Agency
Whether Lamb will find a path back to the majors with another organization remains uncertain. His last standout season was in 2017 when he hit 30 home runs and recorded 105 RBIs with the Arizona Diamondbacks, earning an All-Star selection. However, his performance declined significantly after shoulder surgery cut his 2018 season short, leading to his release in 2020. Since then, Lamb has been with nine organizations in five years, often excelling in the minors but failing to translate that success to the majors. From 2022-23, he hit .289/.409/.490 in the minors but only .216/.297/.316 in the majors during the same period.
Despite these struggles, Lamb, a 33-year-old left-handed batter with postseason experience, could still be a valuable low-cost, low-risk option for a major league team seeking bench strength.
Lamb had garnered significant support from Pirates fans who wanted him added to the major league roster as Tellez struggled. However, with Tellez now performing better, the clamor for Lamb has quieted. Meanwhile, Canaan Smith-Njigba has emerged as a promising option in Indianapolis.
Impact on the Pirates
Lamb’s departure clears the way for prospect Malcom Nuñez, who had been playing third base in Indianapolis, to return to his natural position at first base. With Ke’Bryan Hayes secured at third base under a long-term contract, Nuñez’s future lies at first base. The Pirates, lacking in first base prospects, will closely watch how Nuñez handles this opportunity, especially with Tellez on a one-year deal.
In the short term, if Tellez were to suffer an injury, the Pirates might turn to outfielder/first baseman Billy McKinney, despite his light hitting. As always, there are many moving parts when it comes to analyzing the Pirates’ roster.
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