Lyle Overbay Back With the Brewers?

It’s entirely possible, according to Adam McCalvy, Ken Rosenthal (first!) and MLB Trade Rumors.

According to the reports, Lyle Overbay is considering offers from several other teams. The Milwaukee Brewers reportedly offered the 36 year-old first baseman a minor league deal with an invitation to camp.

Overbay is a former Milwaukee Brewer, playing first base for the Crew from 2004-2005, but was let go in order to make room for then-prospect Prince Fielder to take over at first base for the Brewers.

Lyle Overbay, despite his age, still has something left in the tank. Will he use that for Milwaukee one more time? (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Lyle Overbay is considering offers from other teams, but according to all reports the decision-making process shouldn’t take more than a few days. It may seem like a strange idea, but the reasoning behind the Milwaukee Brewers offer is sound.

The Brewers need two things more than anything else this season: depth and experience. Lyle Overbay gives them a chance at both. While limited in his ability to first base in the field, he does give the team another option to look at while Corey Hart recovers from his injury.

Mat Gamel may be the defacto replacement in the minds of fans, but it doesn’t mean he’s garnered the trust of the organization. Lyle Overbay, for better or worse, is a name they know and trust at first base. It doesn’t mean he’s making the team, but more options is always a sound course of action.

Despite the fact that he’s not a household name, Lyle Overbay is no slouch. He’s a career .270 hitter as a lefty, who hits well against righties and still has something left in his power stroke. He also does well in making ‘productive outs’ – that is to say that he can advance or score runners on base despite not reaching safely. With a move towards youth and speed, that may not be a bad trait to possess on this Brewers team.

Oh yeah, and he holds the Milwaukee Brewers record for most doubles in a season – not even Aramis Ramirez could touch that one.

His numbers aren’t astronomical and his age is advancing beyond the comfort level of most fans, but in 2011 and 2012 he has performed well in a situational role. Seeing as how his services would not be required full time, giving him a look in Spring Training isn’t the worst idea in the world.

What have the brewers got to lose?  Gamel is already slated as the starter at first while Hart is gone, and this move – specifically the invitation to Spring Training – is more about extra bench help if it’s needed.

We’ll keep you updated on the situation as it develops.

In the mean time, let us know how you feel about the possible Lyle Overbay reunion in the comments or on Twitter.