I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant when I heard last winter the team had signed Berkman, given his struggles in the previous two seasons. Happily, I was wrong, as after a slow start he began pummeling the ball. His production has slowed slightly in the second half in terms of slugging and driving in runs, but his average has actually increased. Overall this year, he’s hitting .300/.412/.555.
In addition to his production, Berkman’s provided a stabilizing leadership presence for the clubhouse. Should Albert Pujols re-sign, Berkman will be another fortifying bat in the heart of the line-up. If he chooses to go elsewhere, Berkman would likely take over at first, providing Allen Craig a chance to start in right field while Matthew Adams (.300/.357/.566, 32 HR, 101 RBI in 115 games at AA Springfield) spends a season developing at Memphis.
The fact that it’s a one-year deal is remarkable. Berkman could have likely parlayed this year into a two-year deal elsewhere, but he acknowledges that at this point, his career will most likely be a year-to-year analysis, and it also gives the Cardinals a little financial wiggle room for 2013 and beyond. Beyond that, he’s showing that he truly meant what he said when he told the media he wanted to remain in St. Louis more than anything.
Seven games left, 1.5 down. When I get the time, I’ll write a little more about the season and its amazing turn. For now, just enjoy this ride. Could this be Albert’s final homestand as a Cardinal? (I hope not.) Busch Stadium better be rocking with his every at-bat on Sunday. Hell, it should be rocking every game this week.
Do work, boys.
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Don't get me wrong, I've never had a change of heart about a player as the mancrash I've had on Big Puma this season. I could not stand him when he was in Houston (division rival, of course) or the Yankees (bane of existence if you ask me). When I heard we signed him in the offseason, I wasn't as starkly doubtful and certain of his poor performance in 2011 as most seemed to be, I simply said "He'll be average, nothing great, nothing terrible." As I was quickly and swiftly proven wrong very early in the season, the mancrush was ignited.
However, I am nearly certain 2011 was the supernova of his career, and 2012 is not going to come close to a repeat. I could very well be wrong, and I hope I am.
When it comes down to it, I'd rather have Pujols than Berkman, but I guess $12M isn't going to take that much away from Hombre.
Certainly a valid concern, but I think the fact that it's a one-year deal kinda alleviates that. Long-term, it won't be a detriment to re-signing Pujols.
My immediate short-term concern is where Allen Craig will play should Pujols re-sign. He's not a terrific defender, but he's made a few good plays, and his bat appears to be major-league ready. He's not a second baseman, though, and he'll be squeezed for playing time if Albert comes back.
Matt Adams looks like the real deal, and would give the Cards a second lefty power bat to complement Berkman. Adams shredded AA pitching before losing all lineup protection at the trade deadline, with many of his 32 HR's completely leaving Texas League stadiums. Would a year at Memphis make him better? Probably. But some of the video of this guy on his Facebook fan page is pretty impressive.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Adams/165619750179482