Did anyone notice how the Pirates recently signed Lyle Overbay, then tried to convince the fans that it was a big deal? Overbay is, in every sense, the perfect 2010 Pirates first baseman: No pop, on the decline, excellent fielder, wanted by nobody else, affordable. This is what I’ve blogged about in the past, and it still holds true. Pittsburgh always leads baseball in uninspiring veteran signings. Every. Single. Year.
To cite Joe Sheehan: “Overbay would be a bad signing for a good team desperate for a left-handed-hitting first baseman to complete their roster. Since turning 30, Overbay has hit .255/.344/.427 with about 15 homers a year and a 420/242 K/BB. He hasn’t hit more than .270 in that time. His strikeout rate and K/BB went kablooey last year, an awful sign for a middling 33-year-old. He has a good defensive reputation and the numbers match that. This signing is a near-perfect re-creation of the Doug Mientkiewicz signing from two years ago. Same type of player, same age, same likelihood of having any impact at all on the fortunes of this franchise.”
Were I a Pirates fan, I’d stop being a Pirates fan. Really. I know the whole loyalty thing, but where’s the loyalty back to the diehards? Pittsburgh doesn’t even try to win. Every move is either about saving money or giving the (cheap) appearance of effort.
Such a joke.
