Lyle Overbay Traded to Toronto

[Valadius]

Brewers send Overbay to Toronto
December 8, 2005

DALLAS (AP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays turned their attention to offense on Wednesday night, acquiring first baseman Lyle Overbay from the Milwaukee Brewers for right-hander Dave Bush, pitching prospect Zach Jackson and a player to be named.

The Blue Jays, who are expanding their payroll from $45 million to $75 million this season, have been one of the most active teams at the winter meetings. They already added starter A.J. Burnett and gave closer B.J. Ryan a five-year, $47 million contract that is the richest ever for a reliever.

Overbay, a left-handed hitter who is eligible for arbitration, batted .276 with 19 homers and 72 RBIs last year. His departure clears the way for top prospect Prince Fielder to take over at first base in Milwaukee.

Bush was 5-11 with a 4.49 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for Toronto this year.

Jackson, a left-hander, was the 32nd pick overall out of Texas A&M in the 2004 draft. He moved through three levels of the minors and had a combined 16-8 record with a 3.92 ERA.

[metirish]

I know nothing about what Toronto gave up to get Overbay but they sure are spending that money, expanding payroll by $30 million is a hell of a lot.So Overbay basically replaces Delgado.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

And Milwaukee just wanted to move him so Prince Fielder could take over 1st.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

It's looking like I'm going to be rooting for the Blue Jays in the AL this year. (The more competitive the AL East is, the better.) It would be nice if Piazza went there.

Mets-Blue Jays in October. You heard it here first. (Disclaimer: that's more of a wish than a prediction.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

The Blue Jays have never had a uniform I could dig on.

Why it matters to me that Piazza goes to a team who has a uniform I like, I have no idea.

[Elster88]

Probably because you intend to buy it.

At least that's what I plan to do. Even though I'll never wear it. I like having Piazza stuff.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I kinda liked the old-school "original" Jays uni's, which had numerals looking like they were torn off the backs of a defunct NASL team.

Classic blue & white, with the red maple leaf (which I think was added later) providing a nice splash of color.

I'm definitely against the footballish looking colors and logo of the "new" Jays. Certainly undignified for Piazza.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Maybe they can have Piazza, metrosexual that he is, redesign the uniforms.

[Guest Edgy DC]

The soccer jerseys were just so soccer.

Youth soccer.

[seawolf17]

[smg58]

Overbay has always intrigued me. He hasn't fulfilled his potential, but there's still a chance that he could. Last year he got off to a great start, but then got hurt and wasn't the same afterwards. He could simply level off or turn into John Olerud, and right now it's not clear which way he'll go.

Dave Bush has done respectably in two half-seasons pitching in the AL East, so he could turn into a good back-of-the-rotation guy in Milwaukee. The third player is an outfielder, but I thought the Brewers' outfield had already gotten crowded with Corey Hart joining Lee, Clark, and Jenkins. I'm guessing the Brewers aren't done dealing.

[Guest sharpie]

He seems more Mark Grace than John Olerud to me.

[Elster88]

I am shocked by this trade. Milwaukee was building a solid club. Trading Overbay is a huge step in the wrong direction. Sucks for Brewers fans. Thank God I was born in the New York area.

[Willets Point]

="seawolf17"]

Good ... good ... omigod why is there a giant bird head on his belly, who the hell designed that?

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Elster88 wrote: I am shocked by this trade. Milwaukee was building a solid club. Trading Overbay is a huge step in the wrong direction. Sucks for Brewers fans. Thank God I was born in the New York area.

Are you joking? Prince Fielder is a monster hitter and ready to step in at 1st. They had to move Overbay.

[Elster88]

I didn't realize it was a guarantee. In that case, couldn't they have gotten a lot more in return?

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Elster88 wrote: I didn't realize it was a guarantee. In that case, couldn't they have gotten a lot more in return?

I guess there just isnt a desire for all-contact 1st basemen. I think he's worth more than they got too, but maybe some teams think that 2004 was a fluke.

[Guest abogdan]

]Trading Overbay is a huge step in the wrong direction.

You do know they have Prince Fielder waiting to take over, right? Trading a player who is blocking your best prospect and who is ready for a big payday in arbitration is a step in the right direction. The Brewers added depth in OF and in their starting rotation with Gross, who had back to back .380 OBP seasons in AAA and Bush, who had a league average ERA in Toronto last season and should be a perfectly adequate back of the rotation starter making the league minimum. So, Milwaukee saved probably around $5 million, while maybe losing some offense at 1B and adding OF and pitching depth. I like the deal for both sides.

[Elster88]

Piling on, piling on. RMPL boss.

My apologies to all for not realizing Fielder was going to win the Triple Crown next year.

[metirish]

I'm sure Fielder is a great prospect but he's had 59 AB's in MLB so lets not go touting him as a great hitter

[Guest Edgy DC]

My original read of RMPL is never "Read More Post Less," but "Ruined My Pants Laughing."

Elster, there's this Prince Fielder cat you should know about.

[Frayed Knot]

I think we need to calm down about Overbay too.
Nice player, but he's a 1st baseman who's yet to hit 20 HRs (39 lifetime)and will turn 29 before next season starts.
I think Grace is a good comparison but more as a ceiling than as something he's already attained.

[Elster88]

I think Overbay is a very good hitter, and that he just doesn't get recognition because first basemen are supposed to hit 35 home runs a year. He would've been a nice guy to get on the Mets, except I heard we got this other guy.

[Valadius]

Overbay kind of reminds me of Olerud, actually.

[Guest heep]

Toronto has had the 2nd best off-season thus far....

[Elster88]

]2nd best

:-)
_______________
This was Elster88's last post with the designation 103) Tom Glavine. I'll expect to see you higher up in the ranks soon, Tom.