Add Lance Berkman to the list of aging players the Yankees are showing interest in this offseason.
Berkman is still undecided whether he wants to play this season but is leaning toward staying close to his Texas home should he return.
Still, the Yankees are looking for offense — without committing money to the 2014 payroll — and have been in contact with Berkman, according to sources.
Berkman will be 37 next month and was limited to just 32 games last season because of knee surgery after a surprising comeback year in 2011, when he hit 31 homers and played 145 games for the World Series champion Cardinals.
He spent part of 2010 in The Bronx, coming over from the Astros in a trade-deadline deal, and remains close friends with fellow Texan and Astros teammate Andy Pettitte. Berkman is primarily a designated hitter and first baseman, but did play the outfield for St. Louis.
The Rangers and Astros are among the other teams reportedly looking at the switch-hitter. Berkman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Thursday the Texas teams could have a “geographic advantage” in signing him.
The Yankees, as well as the Mets, continue to talk to Scott Hairston — one of the few right-handed bats still available on the free-agent market.
In the meantime, the Yankees claimed Russ Canzler off waivers from the Indians.
Canzler — who, yes, hits from the right side — played in 26 games for Cleveland last season after being called up in September. The 26-year-old has played corner infield and outfield positions. He hit three homers and knocked in 11 runs with the Tribe on top of 22 homers for Triple-A Columbus before being called up.
—Additional reporting by Ken Davidoff