Lance Berkman not to return to Houston Astros as Texas Rangers sign the veteran - MLB Update
It appears that a reunion between Lance Berkman and the Houston Astros will certainly not be materialising. Lance has told mlb.com that he is all set to get a deal worth $11 million from the Texas Rangers for a single year.
The old timer considered retirement at the end of 2012 season but has decided to play on in 2013. He will be taking the role of a designated hitter, something he feels can help him stay healthy throughout the season and help him stay productive.
Lance said that the talks barely took off with the Astros and despite him meeting Manager Bo Porter and owner Jim Crane to have several telephonic discussions with general manager Jeff Luhnow, nothing of substance ever came close.
"We talked general range, but they never said, 'Hey, we'll give you X,'" Berkman said. "I met with Bo Porter and met with Mr. Crane and talked with Mr. Luhnow several times on the phone. We kind of talked parameters, but it never really got past the tire-kicking
phase.”
The fans had been hoping that Berkman will spend the final days of his professional career with the Houston ball club from 1999 all the way to 2010 when he was traded to the New York Yankees. He will now instead take on the Houston Astros in the next season
as he will be playing for a team that also is a part of the American League West, the new group the Astros are joining this year.
Lance does not hold any ill feelings against his former club. He is aware that once the club singed Carlos Pena as their designated hitter, his return was not going to be possible.
"I have nothing but good things to say about the Astros organization," Berkman said. "I understand they're in a position they have a lot of young players they'd like to get Major League experience -- and with the signing of Carlos Pena, that kind of takes
care of their DH spot. The fit wasn't quite right.”
For now, Berkman is glad to be back in the Majors. After an injury plagued 2012, the soon to turn 37-year-old almost decided to hang his shoes for good. However, a serious offer from the Texas Rangers made him reconsider his options and decided to give it
another go.
He says that he will leave his retirement plans to the back-burner and he will know when the time is right.
For now Lance Berkman is back in business and the Texas Rangers will certainly look to make the most of the player’s abilities. Lance will also be very willing to give it his all and leave on a high once he decides it is time to call it quits.
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