I am not 100% certain of Lambert’s contract status. Spotrac says he has another year of arbitration. If that’s the case he will likely bet on himself and try to score a big contract if he stays good from here thru 2027. Either way I don’t think a $50M/5yr deal makes much sense. If he really is controlled thru 2027 I would say an extension of something like $30M/3yrs (to cover 2027-2029) might make sense for both sides; Astros get an affordable MoR for 2 add’l years and Lambert gets a payday with another crack at a 4-5 year contract if he stays good (he’d enter free agency at age 31).
You are probably right. Cots also has him with final year of arbitration in 2027. I was just thinking that with his career history he may not want to bet on himself. I have faith that if healthy he will be a 1-2 WAR SP the next several years. He may see a world where: He is average at best the rest of this season Gets bumped by Hunter, Spencer, Javier, Blanco, Wesneski, and Walter/Burrows/Imai/Teng next year and is suddenly a $4M per year long reliever. He is a SP without commitment. He could need TJS and not tendered next year. I am convinced he is good enough for a small AAV commitment. But is he willing to bet on himself? If not what is that level?
I would look to extend Lambert and pay him pretty good money over 4 yrs. This guy has really impressed me. Give me the Moniak trade and get Wade healthy.
