Breaking News: Cubs To Swap Milton Bradley To Mariners For Carlos Silva

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times  is reporting that the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners are "on the verge" of trading the disastrous starting pitcher Carlos Silva for the headache that is Milton Bradley.

While Bradley may be a headcase, and a problem wherever he has gone, at least he has been mostly productive when healthy. Silva, on the other hand, has been awful the past two seasons, going 4-15 with a 6.46 ERA in 2008 and 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA in '09.

While their contracts are similar, Silva is owed more money than Bradley. Bradley has $21 million left on his contract—$9 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011. Silva has $25 million remaining—$11.5 million in '10 and '11, with a $2 million buyout on a 2012 option.

Their ages are similar, too. Silva will turn 31 in April.

While the Cubs do need starting pitching, Silva is unlikely to help the team in 2010. Although I hate this move, it has been unlikely that the Cubs were going to get anything of value for Bradley, especially after eliminating his value by sending him home late last season.

Look, other teams know Jim Hendry is desperate, so why should they offer anything but their own problems for the guy? Personally, I would have kept Bradley or released him, if the relationship was irrevocably damaged. But why take on an injured never-has-been like Carlos Silva?

Plus, this move kills the hope that Hendry would make a run at some second base or center field support, once he unloaded part of Bradley's salary. I guess we'll be seeing a lot of Jeff Baker this year.

Jon Heyman of SI first reported that the two teams were talking trade and MLBTradeRumors.com posted the link to the Seattle Times piece.

More to come.