Lyle Overbay: A Birthday Brewer?

Today is Lyle Overbay's 36th birthday, and it's possible he got a "happy birthday" call from the Brewer front office.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Brewers have contacted Overbay to discuss the possibility of a minor league deal now that they have a fresh vacancy at first base. Rosenthal says Overbay is "also talking to other clubs," but is expected to make a decision shortly. Spring training is only two weeks away, so I'd guess more or less every free agent is expected to make a decision soon. (h/t @AndrewGruman)

Overbay was a Brewer in 2004-05 and set the franchise record with 53 doubles in 2004, his first full major league season. He's a career .270/.353/.438 hitter, but batted just .259/.331/.397 in 65 games as a member of the Diamondbacks and Braves in 2012. He bats left-handed, so he wouldn't really be a candidate to platoon with Mat Gamel, but he would give the Brewers another option at first base.

The Brewers have a vacancy at first because Corey Hart will be out for most of April and May following knee surgery, but once Hart is back the Brewers wouldn't really have a place to play Overbay or Gamel consistently. So it makes sense for the team to pursue a veteran option, but not to break the bank for one.