HOUSTON -- Infielder Mike Lamb and the Houston Astros agreed
Monday to a $2.7 million, one-year contract, a $1 million raise.
Lamb hit .307 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs in 126 games last
season, his third in Houston.
The 31-year-oldwas acquired from the New York Yankees in March
2004, less than two months after the Yankees got him in a deal with
Texas and planned to put him at third base. He became expendable
when the Yankees traded for Alex Rodriguez, Lamb's teammate the
previous three years with the Rangers.
Lamb is a career .280 hitter with 57 homers and 273 RBIs in
seven seasons. He can earn $300,000 in performance bonuses:
$100,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.