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Brewers sign Lyle Overbay

After signing Mark Reynolds less than a week ago the Milwaukee Brewers have signed another veteran first baseman. Lyle Overbay has agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big league camp.

This signing will mark Overbay’s second stint with the Brewers after playing with them from 2004-05. With Milwaukee he set a franchise record with 53 doubles in 2004.

A career .267 hitter, Overbay has seen his numbers decrease over the last couple of seasons after having seven successful years from 2004-2010.

He spent the entire 2013 season with the New York Yankees, appearing in 142 games while making 486 plate appearances. He hit just .240 with 14 homeruns and 59 RBI’s, while striking out 111 times and only getting on base at a .295 clip.

Overbay was much better though against right-handed pitchers batting .258 with a .748 OPS compared to only a .190 average and .519 OPS against lefties.

At this stage of Overbay’s career, he is more of a platoon player, and if he makes the big league club coming out of Spring Training he could be a platoon partner with right-hander, Mark Reynolds.

It will not be easy for Overbay to make the 25-man roster out of Spring Training with Juan Francisco and Hunter Morris also vying for a spot. This is another low risk move my Brewers GM Doug Melvin, while giving them more veteran depth at the position, and it will not affect the Brewers at all if Overbay does not work out.

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