The St. Louis Cardinals signed Lance Berkman to a one-year contract, presumably to play the outfield. He’ll earn $8 million.

The Cardinals have an opening in right field after using a combination of younger players there last season. Berkman has started more than 100 games at all three outfield positions, with more than half of his 841 outfield starts coming as a left fielder.

The 2010 season was the first time Lance Berkman posted an OPS+ under 100 since his call-up in 1993. It’s also the first time he posted a negative WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He’ll play 2011 as a 35 year old, his power is pretty much gone, and they’re going to move him to the outfield, where he hasn’t played since 2007. It sounds like the Cardinals just wasted $8 million.