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| Lance Berkman played in the outfield on Thursday, but was a no-show on Friday. Berkman has yet to prove he can be an everyday outfielder and it should concern St. Louis Cardinals fans. - AP Photo |
It was good to see the "Big Puma" roaming the outfield for once, especially since the slugger will need to do it everyday during the regular season.
Its been 4 years since Berkman has played the outfield regularly and hasn't gotten much game action this spring because of a sore elbow.
After Thursday's game Berkman spouted off to the media that his doubters are wrong and he is fully capable of being an everyday outfielder again, even after a 4 year hiatus.
If that is true, then where was Lance Berkman during the Cardinals 10-4 victory over the Washington Nationals?
Why wasn't he the starting right fielder on Friday?
Why wasn't Berkman run out to play defense on two consecutive days?
Berkman needs to show that he can play outfield everyday and at this point, he hasn't done it. He really hasn't shown that he can play a full game out there as he left Thursday's game after the 7th inning.
How can he be the everyday right fielder when he can't even play two days in a row?
I know it is spring training and the games don't mean anything and I know he just returned from the injury.
But Berkman needs to prove he can do it.
Having a question mark in right field is the last thing that this team needs.
The Cardinals have plenty of other questions, including if third baseman David Freese can stay healthy, if Skip Schumaker will be able hit .300 again, and if Jamie Garcia's struggles on the hill are just an aberration and he'll return to form.
Berkman needs to be out there at some point before the end of spring on 4 consecutive days for the single fact that he can prove that he an do it.
I don't care about being tired. I don't care about risking injury.
Because the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not Berkman can actually be dependable in right field is far worst than either of the above.
Sources:
97 games.....12HR....67RBI's will be the Pumas stats this year
ReplyDeleteSB
I hope you are wrong. If those are his stats, we won't make the playoffs...
ReplyDeleteI hope i am wrong too.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think his stats will be?
.....think was the key word...not want...
SB
I think they will be less than your prediction, based off his inability to show that he can play the outfield everyday. 54 games 6 HR's 34 RBI's .320 average. He'll be good when he is in there, I just don't think he'll be in there very often.
ReplyDeleteI also think if the Cardinals plan to make the playoffs they need Berkman to play well over 100 games, which I just don't see happening.
With all of these injuries in the Central division already the winning team may only have about 85wins.
ReplyDeleteSo hopefully the Birds will not need Puma to play in 100 games.
SB