Tradespin: Berkman to the Bronx
(By Dave)
The Yankees are on the verge of acquiring Lance Berkman from the Astros. This is good news for the Big Puma.
Should this deal go down, and indications are that it will, two people’s value will increase somewhat dramatically: Berman’s and Astros new first baseman Brett Wallace’s.
The lowdown on Berkman:
- Berkman stumbled out of the gate this season after undergoing offseason knee surgery, as he posted a .227-5-17 line with a .398 slugging through his first 128 at-bats.
- However, the Puma has flashed his All-Star form as of late, hitting .274 with six taters, 14 RBIs and a .613 slugging over his last 61 at-bats, covering a span of 18 games.
- Batting in the heart of the Yankees lineup, Berkman will be hitting in the best lineup he’s ever been placed in, and should thrive with the short right field porch at his disposal.
- Though he’s struggled largely on the year, I’m banking he returns to his dominant mixed-league form that we’ve been accustomed to for the last 11 seasons while starting primarily as New York’s designated hitter.
The lowdown on Wallace:
- The moment the Astros swapped outfielder Anthony Gose for Wallace right after the Roy Oswalt deal, you knew Berkman’s day would be numbered.
- The 24-year-old Wallace was a key cog in the Matt Holliday trade last season and was
sent to Toronto in exchange for Michael Taylor right after the Roy
Halladay trade in December.
- Wallace was hitting .301 with 18 homers, 61
RBIs and a .509 slugging percentage with Triple-A Las Vegas prior to
Thursday’s swap.
- He should immediately take over as the Astros’ starting first baseman and could be placed in the heart of the lineup around Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson.
- A .285-5-30 line down the stretch is well within reach, making Wallace a borderline mixed-league option.
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