For 2006, LaHair was promoted to the Double-A San Antonio Missions and later to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. In November 2006, he was placed on the Mariners' 40-man roster.
After playing the entire 2007 season in Triple-A, batting .275 with 12 home runs, LaHair started the 2008 season with the Rainiers. In July 2008, he was called up to the Mariners shortly after the release of first baseman Richie Sexson.[1] The Mariners had called up infielder Tug Hulett directly following Sexson's departure, but sent him back down to make room for LaHair a week later. He made his Major League debut on July 18, 2008, as a pinch hitter, grounding into a double play. His first Major League Baseball hit was a line drive single to right field against the Boston Red Sox.
Chicago Cubs
On January 9, 2010, LaHair signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs with an invite to spring training.
He earned a promotion to the Cubs major-league roster in September 2011,[4] and in his debut for the team on September 4, recorded his first Cubs hit, a single off the Pittsburgh Pirates' Charlie Morton.
Prior to the 2012 season, Cubs manager Dale Sveum released a statement saying that Anthony Rizzo would start the season in Triple-A Iowa, making LaHair the everyday first baseman. Following Rizzo's callup to the majors, LaHair was moved to right field.
On July 1, 2012, Lahair, who then was hitting .284 with 13 home runs and 28 RBI, was named to the NL All-Star team as a reserve at first base.[5]
On Dec. 23, 2019, LaHair was named to The Athletic Chicago's all-decade second team by columnist Andy Dolan.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
On November 22, 2012, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks said that they signed LaHair to a two-year, $4.5 million contract. LaHair can opt out of the deal after 2013, and the deal is worth $5.2 million when the signing bonus and buyout are added. The deal has $2 million in incentives each year, and the Cubs received $950,000 in the deal.[6][7]
Cleveland Indians
He signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on February 5, 2014.[8]
Boston Red Sox
In 2015, LaHair signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He was released on April 4.[9]
In 2017, Lahair re-signed with the Patriots for a second season. On November 1, 2017, he became a free agent. In 27 games he struggled hitting .228/.363/.261 with 0 home runs and 4 RBIs.
Coaching career
Bryan LaHair was hired in January 2018 to be the Billings Mustangs hitting coach, the rookie ball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.[10]
In 2019, LaHair was named Field Staff Manager of the Billings Mustangs. LaHair managed the team for two seasons.
