The Seattle Mariners have acquired 31-year old switch-hitting OF/DH Milton Bradley from the Cubs for 30-year old righty starting pitcher Carlos Silva and $9 million bucks. So the net loss on cash is $6 million bucks when you consider that Silva is owed $24 million bucks over the next two years while Bradley has $21 million bucks left over the next two seasons. This was worth the risk as at least the Mariners will get something for their money with Bradley as Silva has been one of the worst pitchers in team history. Silva pitched in 8 games (6 starts) for the Mariners last season and he was 1-3 with a 8.60 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. In his two years with the Mariners, Silva pitched in 38 games (34 starts) in which he was 5-18 with a 6.81 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. The Mariners’ pitching staff will be better next season just because Silva won’t be pitching any innings on it. The Mariners know that Milton Bradley has issues with his temper but they are willing to take a chance on him as they need hitting. Bradley played in 124 games for the Cubs last season and he was 101 for 393 (.257 avg, .775 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 12 homers, 40 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 941 games in his 10-year major league career and he is 904 for 3,260 (.277 avg, .821 OPS) with 501 runs scored, 115 homers, 439 RBIs and 76 stolen bases. Even though the Mariners are taking a risk in Bradley I still like this trade for them.

The Mariners have acquired 31-year old lefty starting pitcher Cliff Lee from the Phillies for 20-year old righty reliever Phillippe Aumont, 21-year old lefty swinging outfielder Tyson Gillies and 21-year old starting pitcher Juan Ramirez. Lee pitched in 34 games (all starts) for the Phillies and Indians and he was 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has now pitched in 194 games (190 starts) in which he was 90-52 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Lee will slot as the #2 starting pitcher for the Mariners right behind Felix Hernandez giving the Mariners one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball. Phillippe Aumont was the Mariners #3 prospect coming into last season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in A+AA ball last season and he was 2-6 with 16 saves, a 3.88 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Juan Ramirez was the #5 rated prospect for the Mariners coming into the 2009 season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 28 games (27 starts) in A-ball last year and he was 8-10 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Tyson Gillies was the #20 rated prospect in the Mariners’ system heading into the season according Baseball America. Gillies played in 124 games in A-ball last season and he was 170 for 498 (.341 avg, .916 OPS) with 104 runs scored, 9 homers, 42 RBIs and 44 stolen bases. This was a great trade for the Mariners as they are playing for right now which is great for the fans.

The Mariners have signed 30-year old righty swinging catcher Eliezer Alfonzo to a minor league deal. Alfonzo played in 37 games for the Padres last season and he was 20 for 114 (.175 avg, .451 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. He has now played in 155 games in his four years in the majors and he is 113 for 475 (.238 avg, .662 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 15 homers and 54 RBIs. Alfonzo swings for the fences too much as he has whiffed 135 times in his major league career.

The Mariners have decided not to tender a contract to 29-year old lefty swinging outfielder Ryan Langerhans making him a free agent. Langerhans played in 38 games for the Mariners last season and he was 22 for 101 (.218 avg, .697 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. He has now played in 512 games in his major league career and he is 250 for 1,079 (.232 avg, .711 OPS) with 152 runs scored, 27 homers, 115 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The Mariners might miss Langerhans’ glove but they won’t miss hit bat.

UPDATE: The Mariners have re-signed Langerhans to a 1-year deal.

The Mariners have selected 23-year old righty reliever Kanekoa Texeira in the Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees. Texeira pitched in 41 games (6 starts) in AA-ball last season and he was 9-6 with 2 saves, a 2.84 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has now pitched in 154 games (6 starts) in his 4 years in the minors and he is 21-13 with 42 saves, a 2.49 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Texeira will have a real shot to make the Mariners’ bullpen in 2010 so this was a great pick for them.