Comments on: Nelson Cruz’s hamstring injury could motivate Rangers to pursue Lance Berkman

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:58:08 +0000

First off, he has not played badly the last few years. Secondly, while he is no wizard in the outfield, he has improved quite a bit this year, and it would be inaccurate to say he is currently a bad outfielder. Their is very little difference between Berkman and Braun defensively. As Berkman’s knee has strengthened he now has at least, average speed both in the field and on the bases. Graceful he isn’t but as the year has progressed their has been significant improvement.

As of two weeks ago Berkman was only a Type B Free Agent, but was on the edge of a Type A. At that time he was leading the league in OPS, so who knows what calculations Elias is using. This probably negates a waiver pick up because the Cards would demand a First Round prospect in return, or screw the deal.

The Rangers are going to have to pony up if they hope to trade for Berkman. If they keep him, or if he signs elsewhere the Cards will still get major compensation. If they trade him now and resign him in the off-season, then they would have to ante up compensation, so the Rangers would need to better that option.

By: okwhitefalcon

okwhitefalcon — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:12:39 +0000

Puma will no doubt be a “Type A” free agent as well so it would likely take more than a fringe prospect for the Cards to even consider a move, probably not a road the Rangers are willing to go down either..

By: okwhitefalcon

okwhitefalcon — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:31:55 +0000

When healthy, Puma still rakes and has been adequate in the outfield – he’s far from a + outfielder
but serviceable. No problem handling 1B…

He’s also been open about his dislike for all things DH so it’ll be interesting to see if this story has any merit…

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:27:36 +0000

I’d be really surprised if the Rangers rented Berkman. No doubt StL would want a prospect for Berkman in addition to the salary, and I doubt Texas would do that unless Cruz’s injury turns out to be severe, or Josh dislocates his shoulder tonight or something equally bad.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:11:15 +0000

First, he can play 1B just fine, and is only bad in the OF, not unplayable.

Second, he has been great offensively the last few years when ever he has had 2 healthy knees….so anyone paying a modicum of attention is not concerned about production from a healthy Berkman.

Third, you can’t use the word “fluke” to describe the lion’s share of events; that isn’t what the word means.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:42:38 +0000

church, I would think that he is LESS useless in the field than Jim Thome…right? And he is having a FAR superior year at the plate than Thome.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:35:54 +0000

Most probably consider him useless in the field so he’s strictly a DH, and how many contenders need a DH? People are also probably concerned about his bad play the last few years. Is his good play going to continue or is it a fluke?

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:26:20 +0000

How the hell did Lance Berkman, being paid on $1.3 million for September, clear waivers????? Wouldn’t he have been a far superior pick up for a team over Thome and Kubel????? Or am I missing something?