The Tampa Bay Rays made their first off-season acquisition Wednesday afternoon, sending cash considerations to the Cincinnati Reds for left-handed hurler John Lamb.
Lamb, 26, was initially acquired from the Royals in the blockbuster deal that sent Johnny Cueto to Kansas City. Once a highly-touted prospect in the Royals farm system, Lamb has seen his value diminish due to a myriad of injuries – including a recent back procedure to repair herniated disk, which likely will find him on the disabled list to start the 2017 season. Previous to that, the southpaw underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011 as a Minor Leaguer – costing him the rest of that season and most of 2012 – as well as another back procedure during the 2015/16 offseason, which forced him to begin 2016 on the DL.
Lamb pitched parts of the past two seasons, struggling both in the big leagues – slashing a combined 6.17 ERA/8.7 K9/3.8 BB9/10.7 H9/1.7 HR9 over 119 2/3 innings of work – and the minors, posting a 5.22 ERA in six outings and 29 1/3 innings with the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
Yet it has been all bad for the hurler, as Lamb fared well in the minors in 2015 when he went 10-2 and slashed 2.67 ERA/9.5 K9/2.9 BB9 line over 111 1/3 innings (20 starts) between the Royals and Reds respective Triple-A teams.
Lamb is out of Minor League options, so the Rays will need to make a quick decision on him upon activation from the DL; that is, of course, unless they try to sneak him through waivers this winter.
Should Lamb be considered for a starting position next season, he likely will battle Blake Snell and Drew Smyly for a spot on the rotation in Spring Training – that is unless Snell starts the season with Triple-A Durham, or Smyly gets traded.