Astros Tell Berkman's Agent They Will Not Pursue Lance

HOUSTON - Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade told FOX 26 Sports Friday he informed the agent for free agent first baseman Lance Berkman that the Astros will not pursue their former star.

Berkman's agent, Mike Moye, called the Astros Friday to ask about their interest in his client.

"I heard from Mike Moye and he inquired about whether we had interest in bringing Lance back and I was candid with him and told him it didn't fit for us," Wade said. "As much as we love and respect Lance and what he's done for our organization, We had these internal conversations in July when we made the decision to go ahead and move him.

"Lance had said he'd be open to a trade at that point in time and realistically evaluating where we thought we were going to be going into 2011 we didn't think there was going to be a fit there with regard to picking his option up. We had that internal conversation then and moved forward and made the trade.

"Our situation hasn't changed in any great regard other than as a result of the moves we made in July we also added Brett Wallace to our mix. So we know that Carlos Lee can play first base. We know that Brett Wallace can play first base. Again, as much as we love and respect Lance and recognize what he's meant to our organization, we've moved past that at this point."

The Astros sent Berkman to the Yankees at the trading deadline.

New York has since declined to pick up Berkman's 2011 option making him a free agent.

Wade said it was tough to tell the agent for one of the greatest Astros ever that there is no longer a place for him in the organization.

"Sure. The call wasn't unanticipated obviously because we know how much Lance loved playing here, loves living in the city and how much it means to him," Wade said. "There's a lot of mutual respect here between Lance and the organization from (Astros' owner) Drayton (McLane) all the way through the organization.

"So it wasn't unanticipated that the tough call would come at some point in time, whether from an agent or from Lance directly. I just tried to be as honest as I could with Mike Moye, his representative, with regard to where we were and where we think we're headed."

Berkman played nearly 12 years in an Astros uniform hitting 327 home runs and driving in 1099 runs.

On Friday Berkman told FOX 26 Sports he wasn't ready to describe how he felt about the Astros' decision not to pursue him.

"To be honest I don't know how I feel," Berkman said.  "I really need some time to digest it."

In an interview with FOX 26 on Oct. 28 Berkman said he didn't want to close the door on the Astros and was hopeful the two sides might still have a future together.

"No matter what happens I will always consider myself a Houston Astro," Berkman said then. "I feel a tremendous allegiance to the team, to the city, to the fans.

"I'm a Houston Astro plain and simple, regardless of what happens going forward."

While the Astros are no longer on Berkman's radar, his agent said Friday he will have some options.

"There are teams that have significant interest in Lance," Moye said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

"He is a great player and he's going to be fine."