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Pirates Sign 1B Lyle Overbay To 1-Year Deal

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - One of the Pittsburgh Pirates' top priorities this offseason was to find a player to play first base or right field.

Mission accomplished.

The Pirates announced Tuesday that they've signed first baseman Lyle Overbay to a one-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth $5 million.

KDKA's Jory Rand was the first to report on KDKA-TV News at 6 p.m. that Overbay and the Pirates were in heavy discussions.

The 34-year-old spent last season with the Toronto Blue Jays and hit .243 with 37 doubles, 20 home runs and 67 RBIs in 154 games.

He ranked fourth among American League first baseman in extra-base hits (58) behind Detroit's Miguel Cabrera (83), Mark Teixeira (67) and Paul Konerko (61).

Overbay will also make the Pirates a better defensive team. He ranked second among AL first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage. In addition, he led AL first baseman in double plays (150) and assists (101).

The signing of Overbay means that Garrett Jones will now be a full-time outfielder and will likely platoon with recently signed Matt Diaz.

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