Yankees cut ties with Juan Rivera, Lyle Overbay now First baseman
After trying and failing to find a replacement for Mark Tiexiera at first base, the Yankees released Juan Rivera on the final day of camp, awarding the job to veteran Lyle Overbay.
Three weeks after Tiexiera was diagnosed with a wrist injury that will sideline him for seven more weeks, the Yankees search for his replacement is over ... for now.
Rivera never impressed much in camp especially in the field at first base. With the acquisition of Vernon Wells, Brendon Bosche and Ben Francisco as back-up outfielders, Rivera became expendable.
Earlier this week the Yankees signed Overbay, a guy who is a solid defensive first baseman, after he was cut by Boston. In three games, Overbay hit .429 (3-for-7) at the plate, and his glove is good enough that the Yankees want to keep him going into Opening Day.
Offensively, Overbay doesn't have the pop that Rivera has; his best season came in 2006 with Toronto when he hit 22 homers and drove in 92. Yet, when it comes to fielding he's only made 59 errors in his 12 year career at first base. By comparison, Rivera has made 9 errors at first in just 106 games at the position.
Three weeks after Tiexiera was diagnosed with a wrist injury that will sideline him for seven more weeks, the Yankees search for his replacement is over ... for now.
Rivera never impressed much in camp especially in the field at first base. With the acquisition of Vernon Wells, Brendon Bosche and Ben Francisco as back-up outfielders, Rivera became expendable.
Earlier this week the Yankees signed Overbay, a guy who is a solid defensive first baseman, after he was cut by Boston. In three games, Overbay hit .429 (3-for-7) at the plate, and his glove is good enough that the Yankees want to keep him going into Opening Day.
Offensively, Overbay doesn't have the pop that Rivera has; his best season came in 2006 with Toronto when he hit 22 homers and drove in 92. Yet, when it comes to fielding he's only made 59 errors in his 12 year career at first base. By comparison, Rivera has made 9 errors at first in just 106 games at the position.
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