The Red Sox signed free-agent first baseman Lyle Overbay to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, the club announced Thursday. According to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald, the deal contains a clause allowing Overbay, 35, to opt out if he doesn't make the major-league roster out of spring training.
Overbay hit .292/.367/.448 (115 OPS+) with 11 extra-base hits in 45 games for Arizona last season, largely against right-handed pitchers as a platoon partner for Paul Goldschmidt. In September, Overbay latched on with Atlanta and played 20 games, hitting .100/.143/.150 (-15 OPS+). He had an overall .259/.331/.397 (93 OPS+) line on the season.
Mike Napoli, finally signed to a one-year deal, will be Boston's opening day first baseman if healthy. But due to the hip condition (avascular necrosis) that led to Boston paring down his deal from three years to one, Napoli may require more rest days than the typical first baseman.
With Mauro Gomez listed as the backup first baseman, Overbay should have a good chance to make the major-league roster. Gomez hit .275/.324/.422 (99 OPS+) in 37 games last season, but those are his only 37 games of major-league experience, and Overbay's left-handed bat would allow the Red Sox to gain the platoon advantage against tough right-handed pitchers when resting Napoli.
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