Overbay at First

Can Overbay take advantage of the short porch?

In the offseason plans for the Pirates, as with almost every Pirate offseason of recent memory, the do to list included a first baseman. The club has tried over the years to add a first baseman. There was Sean Casey, Randall Simon, and of course Adam LaRoche. None seemed to either do much or live up to expectations. Neal Huntington this year has put forth his first baseman in Lyle Overbay.

Overbay, as you may remember, was once the younger slugger with the Brewers, prior to Prince Fielder. He has since been in the American League, playing for the Blue Jays. As a Jay he has prospered, establishing himself as a solid hitter in their lineup.

It is that solid hitter that the Pirates are hoping they get, after signing Overbay to a one year $5 million contract. In Overbay the Pirates are getting, an aging player, but not too old, that has some pop in his bat and is an above average fielder.

Many may look at Overbay and wonder why sign him? Well believe it or not signing Overbay is an offensive upgrade, as he hit better than Garret Jones last season, who is now going to move to the outfield. Adding Overbay and being able to platoon Jones with Matt Diaz is an upgrade to the Milledge and Jones numbers from last season. Is it a huge upgrade, may be not, but and upgrade nonetheless.

Add in the fact that it is only a one year deal and really is not all that bad. Some may complain that they are not going to be giving time to John Bowker or Steve Pearce. I have to ask what have they done that warrants them to get a chance? Pearce has seemingly had nine lives and Bowker was the Giants version of him prior to coming over to Pittsburgh.

Adding Overbay is a good move, one that we perhaps did not see coming, but one that will help the current team become a little more competitive this season, while we look to build longer term.