MLB Rumors: Should Houston Astros Sign Lance Berkman?

The Houston Astros will begin a new era for the organization in 2013 with the team’s move from the National League Central to the American League West. That move means that the Astros will need a designated hitter and I’ve got a player who would be perfect to start with for that. The Astros should go after long-time fan favorite and former Astro Lance Berkman to come back to Houston and be the team’s full-time DH.

Berkman had a very successful 2011 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, but spent most of last season on the disabled list and probably could be had for a low salary on a one-year contract. That fact alone makes the Astros a great choice because Berkman can also help show the young players on the Astros the ropes of playing in the big leagues. It would be a great move to get Berkman just to help the fan base come back to Minute Maid Park.

The Astros need to do something in a talented AL West to compete or Houston could easily lose 100 games again in 2013. There are a ton of people who aren’t happy about this move to the AL and others who love the idea of a natural rivalry with the Texas Rangers. It’s going to be a long process of change for fans in Houston, but bringing Berkman back into the fold may help make the transition a little bit easier. There aren’t very many players that have come through Houston in the past 10 years as popular as Berkman was.

 

Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports or like his Facebook page.