The St. Louis Cardinals added veteran Lance Berkman to be their 2011 right fielder.
On December 4, the St. Louis Cardinals announced the signing of free agent outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman to a one-year, $8 million contract for the 2011 season. The 34-year-old was rumored to have turned down a two-year, $16 million offer from Oakland.
Once nicknamed “Fat Elvis”, Berkman re-christened himself “Big Puma” several years ago. He is a veteran of 11-plus seasons in the majors, most of which were spent with the Houston Astros, with whom he was a key member of the “Killer B’s” from 1999 until last July 31. Berkman was traded to the New York Yankees on July 31 but was not re-signed for 2011.
Berkman has a career batting average of .296 with 327 home runs and 1099 RBI in 1,629 games. His career .409 on-base percentage is fourth among active players and his .545 slugging percentage is ranked 10th. The five-time All-Star (2001-02, 2004, 2006, 2008) holds the National League record for single-season RBI by a switch-hitter with 136 in 2006. He’s had six seasons with 100 or more RBI and hit 25 or more home runs eight times, including a career best 45 in 2006.
Berkman has performed well during postseason play, with a career .320 average, seven home runs and 30 RBI in 34 games. He batted .385 for the Astros in the 2005 World Series. Berkman initially stated a clear desire to return home to play in Houston in 2011, but the Astros were not interested.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has penciled Berkman into his 2011 lineup in the fifth spot, noting the new signee will protect cleanup hitter Matt Holliday as Holliday protects number three hitter Albert Pujols. Despite declining results against left-handed pitching in recent seasons, Berkman is expected to be an everyday player.
Defensively, with Pujols tethered to first base, Berkman is slated to be the starter in right field, pushing the pair of Jon Jay and Allen Craig into reserve roles. Over his career, the Waco, Texs has started more then 100 games at all three outfield positions, but few since 2004. He has made over 700 starts at first base.
A major question regarding Berkman is past knee problems and the potential impact on his defense and availability. He underwent surgery in November 2004 to reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Berkman began the 2005 season on the disabled list and was not activated until May.
Berkman also had minor surgeries on his left knee in 1999 and again during spring training in 2010. He made his 2010 regular season debut on April 20. Berkman also spent time on the disabled list in 2009 due to a left calf strain.
Link to The Cardinal Nation Blog’s top 20 stories of the year countdown
Loading ...Follow me on Twitter.
Follow The Cardinal Nation Blog on Facebook.
[...] worse year at third 13. The muddled middle 12. Herzog to the Hall 11. Garcia’s emergence 10. Puma or Elvis? 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. [...]
Berkman is a risky gamble by the Cards. If others call you Fat Elvis, there was a reason. Berkman is not Reggie Sanders, who had a long career because he stayed in good shape.
Even if Berkman rehabs hard and loses weight, at this stage of his career, he is better at 1B than LF. And when at 1B last year, he did not have a great season. Lance Berkman has been a great hitter and Clubhouse presence, but its hard to see him having a great 2011 from LF. All will be revealed, in due time.
Spooky Jumbo…………….. you’re just trying to scare us…………. Mo! Mo! Jumbo is trying to scare me!
Its spooky how the Cards and As often like the same players: Berkman, Holliday, Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson.
It is interesting and unusual if Berkman turned down a two year deal from the As. He must want to play in the field and play with Albert, Matt, and company.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
I see there is optimism regarding LB’s durability. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the DL before mid season.
Read the article on Freese…………… they made it sound like he was chomping at the bit a month ago. Now they have him hitting off a tee in his wheel chair ………Mo crying to not test him till opening day……………………………………………so he doesn’t have to buy a new one…….great.
The Cards should try to add one more 3B man. We are going to need the help.
What are you worried about Westy, Craig is waiting in the wings. For his moment of glory. Mo has things well in hand. I’ll sleep well tonight. Merry christmas everyone.
I’ve heard some interesting speculation surrounding the Nationals contract to Werth………..
Scotty possibly advising the deep pocket Nats of the importance of keeping the market strong, securing their future in the big spenders line………now that NY , Boston and Philly are so booked up with long term contracts. The deal they made stretched the market against the weaklings ………. ……..leaving them in position to make the leap the Florida, Arizona, Toronto were able to make with a free agent World Series……………….. It wasn’t about baseball…………………
The Nats don’t want to be the Baltimore of the NL East. Scotty wants them to be the Boston.
Washington is going to have to invest (At a loss) to break their cycle. Their local TV rights are sucking, among the wors tin the league. Their second year they only avg’d 7,000 viewers a game – not much higher now.
Scotty could never convince me I have to pay now to be a player later. The $$$ will talk when the time comes.
Doesn’t matter how much money you have……….the players to do the winning have to be available.
Like Randy Johnson and the bloody sock……………etc, etc… NY is booked. Boston will be booked, Phillies have booked all the pitching……………… next year could be big for Washington.
Funny Westy, real funny. The Nats. That’s a good one. I’m less worried already.
Money talks, psycho babble walks!