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Pirates, Lyle Overbay Close to a Deal?

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The Pirates are talking with Overbay.

Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been talking to free agent first baseman Lyle Overbay, according to Morosi’s sources.  Morosi mentions that it’s not clear if the two sides are close to a deal.

Overbay turns 34 in January, and is coming off a season where he hit for a .243/.329/.433 line in 534 at-bats.  That’s similar to his combined numbers from 2008-2010, where he has a .259/.352/.437 line.  Overbay has been better in his career against right handers, with a .279/.375/.463 line, compared to a .259/.308/.402 line against left handers.  As an everyday first baseman, Overbay doesn’t have much more value than Garrett Jones.  He’s on the downside of his career, with the only advantage being his defense.  The only way his potential addition could make sense is if the Pirates platooned him with Steve Pearce at first base, while having Garrett Jones and Matt Diaz together in right field.

UPDATE 12:45 PM: Two updates from Morosi.  He mentions that the Pirates are in talks with a number of corner bats right now.  However, for those of you who are hoping they don’t sign Overbay, Morosi mentions that a source indicates the two sides are moving close to a deal.

UPDATE 12:52 PM: An update to give the proper credit to the original source.  Mike Vukovcan of KDKA points out that KDKA-TV had this information first, at 6:00 PM yesterday.  He says a deal will be done by the end of the day.

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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