Right now all signs are pointing to the Houston Astros not picking up Lance Berkman’s team option for next season, according to Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.

“I haven’t gotten any indication that they are going to pick it up, so I think the chances are that I will be a free agent at the end of the year,” Berkman said. “It’s not concerning, but it’s certainly a position that I’ve never been in before in my career.”

The 34-year-old Berkman has  a $15 million team option for 2011.

“I don’t feel like the organization is under any sort of pressure to get a deal done,” Berkman said. “They are not really backed into a corner with anybody.”

GM Ed Wade told Berkman’s agent, Michael Moye, that the team will not address Berkman’s option status until after the season.

“It has nothing to do with his performance,” Wade said. “It’s just something we’ve decided.”

Berkman has previously has said that he would waive his no-trade clause to a team if they picked up his team option in the process.