"Matt Holliday told Cardinals management and manager Tony La Russa last June that he would be willing to move from left field to right field if the club acquired a bat better suited for his current position.

The Cardinals never took Holliday up on his offer — until now.

General manager John Mozeliak and La Russa met at length Sunday night, and among the topics discussed was whether newly signed Lance Berkman represents a better fit in left field after playing fewer than 80 games in the outfield during the last five seasons.

"Matt's made it clear if we got somebody who had a preference (for left field) we could move him around. It's not absolutely necessary that we decide now. But when we get down to work, if Berkman prefers left we'll have Matt work out in right," La Russa said shortly after arriving at baseball's winter meetings.

Holliday on Saturday reiterated his openness to a transfer within hours of the Cardinals signing Berkman to a one-year, $8 million deal. Though Berkman passed a team physical Saturday, the Cardinals are aware of the knee surgery in March that forced him to open last season on the disabled list.

"We got that checked. It's something we'll watch closely," La Russa said. "It's something where, if one day his legs are barking, you give him a break."

The surgery removed loose cartilage from Berkman's left knee and prevented him from making his season debut for the Houston Astros until April 20. He managed one home run and eight RBIs following his trade in July to the New York Yankees, who gave him only seven starts at first base and none in the outfield. Berkman has not appeared in the outfield since 2007 and last played more than 50 games there in 2004. Berkman mostly served as the Astros' left fielder in 2001 and 2003 but split his time between the corner outfield positions in 2004.

"I've actually played more outfield in my career than I have first base. I'm very familiar with it," Berkman said.

Holliday has played 8,609 major-league innings in the outfield. Every one has come in left field, where he has averaged five errors while his defensive metrics have him rating slightly above average over seven seasons.

The Oakland A's and Chicago White Sox pursued Berkman as a first baseman-designated hitter. With three-time MVP Albert Pujols a lock for no fewer than 150 starts a season, neither role is available to Berkman with his chosen team.

"It's a really good fit for us," La Russa insisted, adding that he had been barraged with calls from a number of players since Berkman's signing. "He's a force.""