Jake Lamb has some competition at third base. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Like the shortstop position a year ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks will have an interesting competition at third base during Spring Training. As our own Joe Jacquez wrote yesterday (via Nick Piecoro at azcentral), the D’backs plan to give newly signed Yasmany Tomas a shot at handling the hot corner, putting him in a battle against Jake Lamb, the organization’s 2014 Player of the Year. By having the two of them square off, it would appear the Snakes will be making at least one other trade between now and Opening Day.
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Most of us were under the assumption that Tomas was signed to play a corner outfield position. However, if he does beat out Lamb at third, it is almost certain that the lefty sweet-swinger will be on the move. Although he has only spent roughly a week at Triple A, Lamb has a bat that is Major League-ready. He had four home runs and four doubles in 126 at-bats while in Arizona. His Minor League numbers indicate he is an extra base hit machine. There will be a team out there that could use a third baseman with a world of hitting potential. One of them could be a favorite D’back trading partner, the Yankees, providing they do not re-sign Chase Headley.
If Tomas is the loser, the only place he will be going is the outfield. With his price tag, I can’t see him starting in the Minor Leagues. Therefore, your guess would be as good as mine as to which player from the outfield will be dealt. Although Dave Stewart says that they have no interest in trading Mark Trumbo, he may not have that opinion two months from now. David Peralta and Ender Inciarte are solid, cost-controllable players that many teams wouldn’t mind having. The D’backs would love to move Cody Ross‘ contract no matter who the third baseman is.
No matter who wins the competition, the D’backs should be in fairly good hands at the hot corner. Once the dust settles, all eyes will be on Phoenix to see what else Arizona management has up their collective sleeves.