Report: New York Yankees Interested in Veteran 1B Lyle Overbay
March 26, 2013 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Yankees search for veteran help continues.
After trading for Vernon Wells, who will be the team’s starting left fielder at the start of 2013, they are now looking at a potential first basemen.
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN, the Yankees are looking into Lyle Overbay.
Sources: Yankees looking at Lyle Overbay espn.go.com/blog/new-york/…
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) March 26, 2013
The 36-year-old Overbay was released from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday and is now free to sign anywhere he chooses.
With Mark Teixeira on the disabled list until at least the end of May, the Yankees are scrambling and searching for options.
The Bombers could have moved Kevin Youkilis over to first base, but would rather leave him at third and look for a temporary solution at first.
With Overbay, he could either be signed to a minor-league deal—or even a major-league deal—for the veteran’s minimum, and once Teixeira comes back from injury, could either be a pinch-hitter, or the Yankees could simply release him.
In 2012, Overbay played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves, hitting .259 with two home run and 10 RBI.
The Yankees have been using Juan Rivera mostly at first base during the spring, but that hasn’t stopped Brian Cashman from exploring the market.
Buster Olney of ESPN thinks it’s an unlikely fit that the Yankees will sign Overbay, but it won’t stop them from looking at him.
To be clear: It’s unlikely, but possible, the Yankees will sign Lyle Overbay. They’ll take a look at it.— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 26, 2013
It’ll be interesting to see what happens if Teixeira needs surgery and could be forced to miss the entire 2013 season.
If that happens, the Yankees may need to make another deal, potentially for Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins.
As a short-term solution, Overbay would be a decent option, but not for the entire season.
Stay tuned to see if the interest is legit, or if the Yankees are doing their due diligence.
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