The Diamondbacks have an offer on the table to veteran first baseman Lyle Overbay, reports Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona (Twitter link). It is thought to be a one-year contract and the Snakes expect a response from Overbay's representatives early in the Winter Meetings.
Overbay was thought to be on Arizona's radar when GM Kevin Towers suggested the team wanted a complement to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. (Overbay is a left-handed hitter while Goldschmidt bats from the right side.) Overbay, 34, joined the D'Backs in August after being designated for assignment by the Pirates in July. He hit a combined .234/.310/.360 in 440 plate appearances with Arizona and Pittsburgh last season.
paul goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt…
NOOOO he was supposed to be a dodger… no this is good now ned won’t sign him to a 2 year 15 million contract
Cash 4 Gold.
Paul Goldschmidt.
That’s a mistake unless Overbay wants $2,000,000 or less.
prolly not a huge market for overbay otherwise…i can’t imagine much downside to this.
I’m just saying that his WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was at .2 with the D-Backs last year and had a WAR of -.7 with the Pirates so I don’t see him as valuable to a team.
As a pinch-hit bat, you could do a lot worse than Overbay. His stint was the Pirates was genuinely horrible, but he’s been reliable over larger samples at the plate, even if he’s never truly been an above-average regular at first. And WAR is pretty misleading for pinch hitters. Players across the big-leagues see their offensive production drop significantly over pinch-hitting opportunities.
Bill Goldberg?
Now just add Troy Glaus and you have the 2007 Toronto Blue Jays infield that was good enough to finish 3rd in the AL East (back in the day).
“D’Backs Have Made Offer To Lyle Overbay”
And Lyle Overbay is surprised.
What do you know, the Dbacks offered Overbay a deal. Wonder if he’s going to accept it.”
-Lyle Overbay
Actually, I’m surprised that the D’backs waited so long to make an offer. Aging first basemen with the range of a statue and diminishing bat speed don’t exactly grow on trees.
Unless you are at U.S. Cellular Field
Just goes to show you that if you play your cards right, are good in the clubhouse, respectful to your teammates and management, you can stick around baseball for a loooong time.
Good for Lyle.
Wow!