Pat Burrell is going to remain with the Tampa Bay Rays, at least for the time being.
Burrell will not be traded to the Chicago Cubs for Milton Bradley, as the Cubs dealt Bradley today to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva. The Chicago Tribune is reporting the Cubs also receive $9 million.
Bradley is owed about $22 million over the next two seasons, which was the major stumbling block in making a deal with the Rays. While Tampa Bay was open about its interest in Bradley, the team wanted to trade Burrell in return. The problem is Burrell is owed $8 million next season. The Rays said they were unwilling to add payroll, thus they wanted the Cubs to pick up most of Bradley's tab.
Not surprisingly, the Cubs were unwilling to do so. Thus, they went in search of another trade partner.
Most teams have balked at picking up Bradley. It's not just his salary and the fact he hit just .257 a year ago that made him unattractive. His run-ins with reporters, fans and his manager also made the outfielder a tough sell.
Silva is owed $25 million over the next two season, thus the Cubs save $6 million if you factor in the cash they are receiving from Seattle. Like Bradley, Silva has been a disappointment since signing a four-year contract with the Mariners. He is 5-18 during the past two seasons with a 6.80 ERA.
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