Lance Berkman Clears Waivers, Could Be Traded

The St. Louis Cardinals decided to put Lance Berkman on waivers this past week, and the news has come through that he cleared them. Though the MLB trade deadline passed at the end of July, if a player clears waivers in August, he can still be traded before the rosters are set on September 1.

According to St. Louis Today, Berkman can now be traded to any other team in the Major Leagues. Berkman seems to be one of many players that the Cardinals placed on waivers, potentially setting up a number of moves before the end of August. St. Louis has fallen out of the pennant race after a huge surge by the Milwaukee Brewers, and this is just another sign that the team has pulled in the sails.

During the season, Berkman has hit 30 home runs, posted a .290 batting average, and has driven in 81 runs so far. Those are huge numbers that could help out a number of other teams, but it might mean that another franchise has to give up prime prospects to get him. Berkman could be a Type A free agent at the end of the year, giving the Cardinals two draft picks from any team that signs him. That's the big question mark, because Berkman is not under contract for 2012, and wouldn't be tied to any team that tried to acquire him.

Berkman isn't the only player that was placed on waivers either, as both starting pitcher Chris Carpenter and shortstop Ryan Theriot were reportedly put out there as well. Carpenter was claimed by multiple teams it seems, and then pulled back by the Cardinals when the team realized that a good deal couldn't be worked out. Theriot has cleared waivers though, meaning he can now be traded (possibly with Berkman) to any other team. There could be a number of other players that have cleared waivers as well; but which has not yet been leaked to the press.

The Cardinals have a number of huge decisions to make before next season, especially with the franchise at risk of losing Albert Pujols. He too is a free agent, but might look to greener pastures (and a bigger contract) if he doesn't think that the Cardinals will get much better than this year. Struggling to stay just above .500 isn't going to get it done in a division that just keeps getting better, and the front office has to realize that quickly.