Lance Berkman Trade Speculation: 5 Contenders Who Could Make a Run with Him

Now that St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Lance Berkman has officially cleared waivers, the Cardinals have until Thursday to trade him or keep him for the remainder of the season.

Berkman, who has enjoyed a resurgence in his career this season with 30 HR, 81 RBI and a .975 OPS, was made expendable when the Cardinals seemingly fell out of contention in the National League Central division race.

Berkman will most likely be a Type A free agent at the end of the season, meaning that whoever signs him will be giving up a first-round draft pick and a supplemental draft pick in next year’s MLB amateur draft.

Thus, it stands to reason that the Cardinals will not part with Berkman lightly over the next two days.

With just four weeks to go in the regular season, Berkman could absolutely provide a contending team with a huge bat down the stretch and in the playoffs. However, which teams would have the most interest?

Here are five teams that could absolutely use the bat of Lance Berkman.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers received a crushing blow when they revealed that right fielder Nelson Cruz will be lost for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury. Cruz was putting up solid numbers thus far with 28 HR, 84 RBI and an .854 OPS.

With his loss, the Rangers, who are locked in a battle for the American League West division title with the Los Angeles Angels, will definitely need to find a replacement, and fast.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who has been out of action for the past six weeks with a strained left hamstring, began his rehab assignment on Monday at Triple-A Round Rock and could be back with the Rangers by Thursday.

Berkman would be the perfect replacement for Cruz, and even when Cruz is healthy, Berkman could provide starts in right field, first base and as the designated hitter.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants are fading fast in the National League West, now facing a five-game deficit to the Arizona Diamondbacks after Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Cubs.

The Giants have suffered from horrible run production all season long, and Berkman would help to provide instant offense and support to a solid pitching staff that desperately needs it.

Detroit Tigers

To say that Detroit Tigers right fielder Magglio Ordonez has been a major disappointment this season would be a vast understatement.

With Brennan Boesch suffering from a recurring right thumb injury, Ordonez has been pressed into play lately, which is not the best option for the Tigers.

Lance Berkman would be a great pickup for the Tigers.

Boesch will likely need surgery on his thumb at the end of the season, and with the injury it’s hard to tell whether or not he can provide solid production during the month of September and beyond.

As great as Ordonez has been during his career with the Tigers, he can no longer be counted on to provide consistent offensive production. GM Dave Dombrowski should be calling Cardinals GM John Mozeliak right now.

Chicago White Sox

With right fielder Carlos Quentin sidelined with a left shoulder sprain, the Chicago White Sox are going with a combination of Brent Lillibridge and rookie Dayan Viciedo.  

Lillibridge has given the Sox decent offensive production in limited action (12 HR, 27 RBI in 89 games), and Viciedo may be getting more time at DH with Adam Dunn’s year-long slump.

Berkman could give manager Ozzie Guillen a great option in right field, moving Lillibridge back to a utility role and keeping Viciedo in the DH slot for the foreseeable future.

Los Angeles Angels

Wow, how good would Lance Berkman look in the Los Angeles Angels lineup?

With a batting order that has struggled to score consistently all season, the Angels are clearly in need of a consistent power threat if they hope to have any chance of catching the Texas Rangers in the American League West.

The Angels could use Berkman as a DH (Bobby Abreu’s production has dropped dramatically this season), at first base to spell Mark Trumbo on occasion or in right field to spell Torii Hunter as well.

Manager Mike Scioscia would no doubt find ways to get Berkman’s bat in the lineup. Considering the Angels' lack of run production, Scioscia would probably salivate at the thought.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.