The headline of this story is basically nothing more than a rhetorical question.
Yes, the Texas Rangers have a contract option on Lance Berkman for the 2014 season that would cost them $12 million. If they don't want him back, they owe him a $1 million buyout.
Has there ever been an easier decision?
The Berkman signing last winter made sense on the surface. He was a veteran hitter with great plate discipline that had had a great year in 2011 before missing most of the 2012 season with the St. Louis Cardinals with knee injuries.
At his advanced age, he was also a risk, especially with his knee and hip issues, and he was a risk that ended up not paying off.
Berkman played in just 73 games, hitting .242 with a .340 on-base percentage. For the first month and a half of the season, he looked to be contributing nicely out of the No. 3 spot in the lineup but then his knees flared up and that was that.
Berkman will turn 38 during spring training and is probably done as a big-leaguer. He even contemplated retirement late in the summer after his DL stint went on and on and on.
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You win some, and you lose some, and the Rangers lost this one.
