Lamb sees chance to become a regular

Elsa, Getty Images

Mike Lamb has averaged 12 homers and 49 RBI over each of the past four seasons as a part-time player with the Astros.

Mike Lamb is the second former Astros infielder signed by the Twins in two days.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: December 16, 2007 - 11:19 PM

The left side of the Twins infield just became Houston North.

One day after signing Astros shortstop Adam Everett, the Twins added Astros third baseman Mike Lamb on Friday, inking him to a two-year, $6.6 million contract with an option for 2010.

Lamb, 32, said he didn't enter free agency expecting to land in Minnesota, but he was looking to become an everyday player.

"The reality is I've been a bench player for five, six years now," he said. "I realize the Twins are taking a chance on me, and I definitely appreciate it."

With performance bonuses and escalator clauses, Lamb's new contract could be worth up to $12.5 million over three seasons. He's a career .281 hitter who averaged 12 home runs the past four seasons, but his defense has held him back.

He was stuck behind Morgan Ensberg for most of his career with Houston and actually played 43 games at first base last season, along with 58 games at third.

The Twins are set with Justin Morneau at first base, but assistant GM Rob Antony said Lamb will have a chance to become the everyday third baseman.

"We don't like to give anything away," Antony said.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith said the team is likely finished adding third base candidates. Besides Lamb, the Twins have Nick Punto, Brendan Harris, Brian Buscher and Matt Macri.

"I think with Punto, Everett, Harris and Lamb, we're a lot more comfortable with our infield than we were a month ago," Smith said.

A lefthanded hitter, Lamb batted .289 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI last year.

"I've definitely improved defensively since my rookie year," Lamb said. "I'm no longer a liability out there."

And it might help his comfort level at third base, playing a few feet from Everett.

"How ironic is that?" Lamb said. "I think it's important when you're going to a new team just knowing somebody else."

Santana market stirs

The Yankees have resumed their efforts to trade for Twins ace Johan Santana.

The teams spoke again this week, and the Yankees made it known they would like to trade outfielder Hideki Matsui to make room for Santana's salary.

The Yankees have offered a package with pitcher Phil Hughes and outfielder Melky Cabrera, but the Twins have asked them to include pitcher Ian Kennedy.

The Twins' leverage appeared to increase Friday, when Oakland traded Dan Haren -- another Yankees pitching target -- to Arizona.

After setting an artificial deadline with the team's offer during the winter meetings, Yankees Senior Vice President Hank Steinbrenner went public with his change of heart.

"We're still thinking about it," he told the Newark Star-Ledger. "We haven't ruled it out completely. We're still considering it. I haven't closed the door completely on Santana."

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