Tristan Cockcroft takes on Lance Berkman's fantasy value, and has some things to say:
To say that Berkman might need longer than four weeks to return to the playing field, not to mention be at high risk for another visit to the disabled list, is fair. If you're looking for a projected number of games played, his 136 from last season might actually be on the high side of his scale.
Berkman's performance when healthy last season also regressed, especially his performance versus left-handers. A switch-hitter, Berkman managed only .231/.293/.418 (AVG/OBP/SLG) numbers from the right side of the plate in 2009, resulting in his worst OPS (.711) in any full big-league season. That alone doesn't condemn him in the talent department, but it's a trend that bears watching, being that it has been a relative weakness for his entire career and seemed most noticeable last season. It might portend a downslope of his career that extends the next couple of years and deepens each passing season.
It's not all bad, but it's certainly not all good.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
