Mariners acquire outfielder in deal with Cubs for Silva

SEATTLE -- The Mariners' offseason renovation got a lot busier Friday, when Seattle pulled off a trade full of intrigue and potential but not without a few question marks.

The Mariners acquired volatile outfielder Milton Bradley from the Cubs in exchange for right-hander Carlos Silva, swapping similar high-salary contracts in the hopes that a change of venue will get Seattle the stellar on-field performance Bradley has produced at times in his up-and-down career -- without the temper flareups that have caused problems with umpires and fans and in various clubhouses.

"We have been looking to add offense to our club and in Milton have a player who has always gotten on base and has the ability to drive in runs," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "He is passionate about winning, as we are, and we believe he'll be a good fit here."

From a payroll perspective, it's almost a wash. Silva has two years remaining on a four-year, $48 million contract that he got prior to the 2008 season from former Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi, and Bradley is owed $21 million over two years -- $9 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011. Silva has $25 million remaining -- $11.5 million in both 2010 and '11 and a $2 million buyout on a 2012 option. According to SI.com, the Cubs will also net $6 million over two years on the deal.

Silva has been a big disappointment for Seattle, going 4-15 in 28 starts in 2008 and 1-3 with a 8.60 ERA in eight games (six starts) in an injury-riddled 2009. Silva projected to be a long reliever on the 2010 roster.

Meanwhile, Bradley, a 31-year-old switch-hitter who projects to start in left field and occasionally at designated hitter, batted .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs and put up an on-base percentage of .378 for the Cubs in 2009. But he was suspended for the final 15 games for detrimental conduct. Bradley, who also has had run-ins with umpires, teammates and managers during stints with the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cubs, also has shined in stints with Oakland in 2006 and with Texas in 2008.

Bradley led the American League in OBP (.436) and on-base-plus-slugging (.999) in 2008 with the Rangers, and was third in batting average (.321) that season. He has a career OBP of .390 in the AL and started at DH in the 2008 All-Star Game.

Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.