Lyle Overbay Granted Release From Red Sox, Possibly Targeted By Yankees

According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, the Boston Red Sox have granted first baseman Lyle Overbay his release to pursue other opportunities before Opening Day on April 1. Overbay struggled this spring with the Red Sox, but was in the hunt for the backup position behind Mike Napoli at first base before being released Tuesday.

Overbay has played for three different teams in the past two seasons before signing with the Red Sox in January as a non-roster invitee to spring training. He hit .220 this spring with seven RBIs and no home runs which led to his release by the Red Sox as he failed to crack the roster. The Red Sox are expected to use a combination of Mike Carp and Daniel Nava

The Red Sox acquired Mike Carp from the Seattle Mariners in February for a player to be named later and cash considerations and will be the primary backup to Napoli. Daniel Nava has played well this spring, hitting .310 in 20 games and will also get spot starts in the outfield.

Ryan Sweeney could be the next odd-man out at Red Sox camp as there is no room for three first baseman on an MLB roster. Sweeney’s contract includes an opt out clause on March 28, forcing the Red Sox to make a decision on him before the end of the week.

The New York Yankees could be a possible suitor for Lyle Overbay, as ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted, though he says it’s unlikely. Bryan Hoch, who covers the Yankees for MLB.com, also tweeted about Overbay, hinting to the idea that the Yankees could go after him.

Targeting Overbay wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Yankees, who could use a first baseman after losing Mark Teixeira to a wrist injury earlier this spring. Overbay would be a pretty cheap investment for the Yankees, which they could use after agreeing to eat $13 million of Vernon Wells’ contract in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Overbay, 36, hits from the left-side of the plate, and could fair well with the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have a knack for signing older players to short-term contracts and anything will help as $88 million of their payroll will start the season on the disabled list.

Would a move for Lyle Overbay give the Yankees more production while Teixeira is out and could possibly miss the rest of the season?