Lyle Overbay was once a decent, if not star, first baseman. He led the National League in doubles with 53 in 2004, played good defense, and drew a large number of walks (enough to give him a .354 lifetime OBP, despite a pedestrian .271 batting average).
Atlanta Braves Sign Lyle Overbay
The Braves will soon have the veteran first baseman on their bench as they shoot for a playoff spot.
This season, however, he was reduced to part-time duty with the Diamondbacks, on the emergence of Paul Goldschmidt as the starter, and was released by the team August 5.
Two weeks later, Overbay has a new job, signed by the Atlanta Braves. It’s a Triple-A deal; Overbay will report to the Braves’ International League team in Gwinnett, in suburban Atlanta, but not for very long:
1B Lyle Overbay will join Atlanta when Major League rosters expand on September 1st.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 20, 2012
Overbay will serve, no doubt, as a pinch-hitter and backup to Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, as Atlanta fights for a playoff spot, and as a useful veteran presence.
For more on the Braves, please visit Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.
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