As expected Lance Berkman's rent-a-player days with the Yankees has ended

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/10/27/yankees-decline-options-on-lance-berkman-kerry-wood-nick-johns/

The Yankees have declined Berkman's $15M contract for next year and will pay him a buyout of just a lousy $2M and set him free. This was expected all round. Berkman, upon going to the Yankees insisted on mutual buyout options because he didn't want to be tied down beyond this year and the Yankees were quite happy to go along. Berkman would have had to set the woods afire to have kept the Yankees interest at $15M.

He actually came on strong in the playoffs, hitting over 300 and providing one clutch home run, but the Yankee approach of platooning him as a designated hitter and only against right handed pitching was something he'd tolerate only for the experience of playing for one of the best teams in baseball.

As I recall, upon leaving Houston he said he'd be open to return "home" or, if he didn't feel he could contribute at a high level any more he was willing to call it a day and move on to other things.

It'll be fun watching in the off season to see where he'll land. I'm pretty sure there are some teams who'd love having him, especially at a price lower than where he was on his current contract.

[Ryan Scott]

He's not going to get $15m from anyone. Maybe he'll be headed back to Houston. I suspect there may be a few teams out there who might give him $10m or $12m, though.

[Shea Zellweger]

He's not going to get $15m from anyone. Maybe he'll be headed back to Houston. I suspect there may be a few teams out there who might give him $10m or $12m, though.

of course, $12m plus a $2m buyout starts to look darn close to $15m...

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

He complicated the matter of his value as a player by coming on in September and in the playoffs. Had he continued in his hitting slump I don't think there would have been as much interest in him as a front line player. However, he started hitting (as well as continued drawing lots of walks - he's a very patient hitter) and I think that's going to cause some teams to take a serious look at him. Beyond that he's a real plus in the clubhouse - smart, positive, and a leader.

I admit I'm a fan of his as much for his clear Christian testimony as because of his play on the field.

[Scott Moseley]

He would look good in a Rangers uniform.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

He would look good in a Rangers uniform.

The Astros announced that they won't pursue him. They have to focus on rebuilding and resigning Berkman wouldn't be a step in the right direction for them. I doubt you'll see him with the Rangers or any AL team. He says he likes the NL game better and wants to play in the field as well as bat. Of course, if things move along and he hasn't found that situation and if an AL team comes knocking...who knows?

[Scott Moseley]

I really like lance berkman. He has proven to be a class act along with a clutch bat. I would love it if he could get back to Houston. Wouldn't it be great if he took less pay to stay with his organization to help rebuild the Stros into winner?

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I really like lance berkman. He has proven to be a class act along with a clutch bat. I would love it if he could get back to Houston. Wouldn't it be great if he took less pay to stay with his organization to help rebuild the Stros into winner?

The Astros have already said that they won't pursue him. They have a young first baseman they think has a future. Berkman says he'd like to return to the National league but, in his good humored way added, "I may not have a choice." I read yesterday that Oakland was looking him over.

[Ryan Scott]

I imagine he'll end up on an AL team looking to add a bat (maybe at DH).

[Scott Moseley]

Well I'm guessing the rangers will cut Vladimir G loose to possibly free up a slot for Lance Berkman (if he wern't so expensive) VG was a disater in WS but was clutch all season.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I see that Berkman signed a 1 year/$8 million deal with the Cardinals. He's headed for his old position of left field. He wanted to return to the national league, he wanted to play everyday, he wanted to play in the field as well as hit, he wanted to play for a team that has the potential of contending, and he wanted around $8 million dollars. Sounds as though he should be a happy fellow.

I wish him the best.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/cardinals-sign-lance-berkman.html

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Have you been following Lance Berkman's opening days with St. Louis? He's on fire. A few days ago a 2 home run game. Last night a grand slam. Tonight, in his first two at bats he has two more homers. He's making the St. Louis management look like geniuses. Not so much the Yankees!