Lance Berkman said earlier this week that several teams had been in contact with him and he wasn't kidding. Just a day after the slugger met with the Oakland A's, the Denver Post reported that the Rockies are "aggressively pursuing" the former Astros' first baseman to help fill their needs in the corner outfield spots and to give Todd Helton some time off at first base, when necessary.

Berkman is coming off of the worst season of his 12-year career, split between the Astros and New York Yankees. He finished 2010 with an OPS under .800 for the first time in a career that saw him dip below .900 only once in a full season before in the 11 years prior.

Some of his struggles can probably be attributed to the diminished playing time he saw with the Yankees after being traded across leagues, though, and the Rockies are no doubt hoping that a return to the National League, regular playing time,and the thin air of Coors Field will all help revitalize the Big Puma's career.

The Rockies are also apparently hoping that being in the National League and thus able to offer him playing time in the field makes them a more attractive suitor than the A's, who likely want Berkman to DH.

He hasn't regularly played in the outfield since 2005, though, the Rockies must not be all that worried about how he'd fare in the outfield, because his poor showing from the right side of the plate against lefties indicates (just a .517 OPS in 2010) that he'd be a pretty poor platoon partner for Helton at first base.

Lance Berkman said earlier this week that several teams had been in contact with him and he wasn't kidding. Just a day after the slugger met with the Oakland A's, the Denver Post reported that the Rockies are "aggressively pursuing" the former Astros' first baseman to help fill their needs in the corner outfield spots and to give Todd Helton some time off at first base, when necessary.

Berkman is coming off of the worst season of his 12-year career, split between the Astros and New York Yankees. He finished 2010 with an OPS under .800 for the first time in a career that saw him dip below .900 only once in a full season before in the 11 years prior.

Some of his struggles can probably be attributed to the diminished playing time he saw with the Yankees after being traded across leagues, though, and the Rockies are no doubt hoping that a return to the National League, regular playing time,and the thin air of Coors Field will all help revitalize the Big Puma's career.

The Rockies are also apparently hoping that being in the National League and thus able to offer him playing time in the field makes them a more attractive suitor than the A's, who likely want Berkman to DH.

He hasn't regularly played in the outfield since 2005, though, the Rockies must not be all that worried about how he'd fare in the outfield, because his poor showing from the right side of the plate against lefties indicates (just a .517 OPS in 2010) that he'd be a pretty poor platoon partner for Helton at first base.

The St. Louis Cardinals bolstered their offense and gave them protection at first base Saturday by signing free- agent outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman to a one-year deal.

Berkman, 34, who spent most of his 11-year career with the Houston Astros, will primarily play left field. He likely will be used at first base when Albert Pujols is given off-days.

"We are extremely excited to have added Lance to our ballclub," Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said in a statement. "He's an impact player who not only helps solidify our everyday lineup, but he also brings a wealth experience to our team."

Berkman is a career .296 hitter with 327 home runs and 1099 RBI in 1,629 games. His career .409 on-base percentage is ranked fourth among active players and his .545 slugging mark ranks tenth.

Berkman, a five-time All-Star, has the National League record for the most RBI by a switch-hitter with 136 in 2006. He has driven in at least 100 runs six times and has hit at least 25 homers in eight seasons.

The St. Louis Cardinals bolstered their offense and gave them protection at first base Saturday by signing free- agent outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman to a one-year deal.

Berkman, 34, who spent most of his 11-year career with the Houston Astros, will primarily play left field. He likely will be used at first base when Albert Pujols is given off-days.

"We are extremely excited to have added Lance to our ballclub," Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said in a statement. "He's an impact player who not only helps solidify our everyday lineup, but he also brings a wealth experience to our team."

Berkman is a career .296 hitter with 327 home runs and 1099 RBI in 1,629 games. His career .409 on-base percentage is ranked fourth among active players and his .545 slugging mark ranks tenth.

Berkman, a five-time All-Star, has the National League record for the most RBI by a switch-hitter with 136 in 2006. He has driven in at least 100 runs six times and has hit at least 25 homers in eight seasons.