Yankees Will Cover Lance Berkman's Cost, Lose Little

So the big remaining question in the Lance Berkman deal is what the Astros will be getting in return from New York. Ken Davidoff has an idea:

#Astros indeed expected to get non-prospect minor-leaguer(s) and payroll relief from #Yankees in return for Berkman.

Berkman is due several million dollars over the rest of the season and has a $2m buyout for his 2011 option, so it would appear that the Yankees are covering his cost. As such, what the Astros are getting is salary relief and some as-yet unnamed minor leaguers of little standing. As an Astros fan, it would be hard to get real excited about this deal. Salary dumps are never a thrill.