ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Yankees are on the verge of landing slugger Lance Berkman from the Astros, according to two major-league sources, adding a powerful bat for the stretch run.
Berkman, a 34-year-old switch-hitting first baseman/outfielder, will provide another option for Joe Girardi in the DH mix, which has been a revolving door since Nick Johnson went down with a wrist injury in May.
The Yankees and Astros were still working out the final details of the deal, though the Bombers are not expected to give up any of their blue-chip prospects. New York will likely pick up a majority of the $7 million owed to Berkman, which includes a $2 million buyout of his 2011 team option.
Berkman, a five-time All-Star, had to agree to the deal thanks to his standing as a 10-and-5 player, having spent his entire 12-year career with the Astros.
Berkman is hitting .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 85 games this season, though he has a respectable .372 on-base percentage. Berkman won't solve the Yankees' problems against lefties, as he's hitting a dreadful .188 with one homer and four RBI in 64 at-bats against southpaws.
His home-road splits are also quite notable, as he's hitting .287 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 45 home games, numbers that drop to .194, 4 and 18 in 40 games away from Minute Maid Park.
Berkman has only played first base during the past three seasons, so it's unlikely that the Yankees will use him in the outfield despite his 801 career games out there.
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