MLB Free Agency: Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers interested in Lyle Overbay

After a solid 2013 campaign with the New York Yankees, veteran first baseman Lyle Overbay is drawing interest from the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros this off-season.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes the following:

"He remains on the Astros’ short list of low-cost first basemen. The Astros would love to have a veteran who could push Brett Wallace. Overbay had a good 2013 season with the Yankees and in many ways saved their lineup after Mark Teixeira was lost early in the season. Overbay remains an option for the Brewers, as does Michael Young and Rangers reserve Mitch Moreland."

Overbay, who is 36 years old, batted .240/.295/.393 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI in 2013. His production certainly wasn’t overwhelming, as his 87 OPS+ indicates. Still, he put up some numbers in what would have otherwise been a black hole in the lineup for the Yankees due to Teixeira’s health issues.

Each of these interested teams would utilize Overbay in different roles. As Cafardo writes, the Astros would sign him to a supporting role. In addition to part-time duty in the lineup, it sounds like he would serve as competition and perhaps a mentor for the young Wallace.

For the Brewers he would likely be a one year band-aid at first base, something that team desperately needs considering the fact that they actually played Yuniesky Betancourt there last season. In either case, Overbay would serve a similar role to what he did for the Yankees last season.