Movin’ Mariners get mercurial Milton Bradley from Cubs for underperforming Carlos Silva

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Busy Seattle gets Bradley from Cubs for Silva

SEATTLE — Mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley was traded to the Seattle Mariners from the Chicago Cubs on Friday for expensive and underperforming pitcher Carlos Silva.

Chicago has been wanting to deal Bradley since the Cubs suspended him for the final two weeks of last season, shortly after he criticized the atmosphere surrounding a team that hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.

Seattle, which has never even appeared in a World Series, didn’t expect to find a suitor for Silva. He has done little except lose and get hurt in the two seasons since he signed a $48 million, four-year contract.

Silva won five games in two years with the Mariners: $4.8 million per victory.

Second-year Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, who inherited Silva’s contract from predecessor Bill Bavasi, has been seeking more offense following his acquisition of ace Cliff Lee in a trade with Philadelphia and the signing All-Star infielder Chone Figgins.

Seattle’s GM characterized Bradley’s fire as a passion to win.

The 31-year-old Bradley was an All-Star in 2008 as a designated hitter with Texas. He led the AL in on-base percentage while batting a career high-tying .321 during a relatively event-free year. That was followed by a tumultuous season with the Cubs.

Seattle believes clubhouse leader Ken Griffey Jr. and newcomer Figgins will be able to rein in Bradley’s “passion” in a way that is productive. The Mariners repeatedly have proclaimed they want players of high character with good attitudes, citing Figgins as the latest example on Tuesday.

They also wanted another bat.

“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,” Zduriencik said in a statement. “He is passionate about winning, as we are, and we believe he’ll be a good fit here.”

The 30-year-old Silva appeared in eight games for Seattle this year while missing most of the season with a bad pitching shoulder. He was a 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA.

Silva was 5-18 with a 6.81 ERA in two seasons with Seattle after leaving Minnesota.