Lance Berkman said Wednesday that he would like to return to the Cardinals next season. "Oh yeah, absolutely," said Berkman. "This would be my first choice." Berkman, who signed a one-year, $8 million contract over the winter, has proven to be one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, batting .290/.403/.573 with 29 homers, 78 RBI and a .975 OPS over 457 plate appearances. Of course, Albert Pujols will also be a free agent following the season and the Cardinals have to have to make decisions on the options for Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina, so they might not be able to afford to keep him.