The Cubs trade outcast Milton Bradley to the Mariners in exchange for starting pitcher Carlos Silva (1-3, 8.60), Seattle’s very costly and underachieving right-hander. Chicago suspended the outspoken and unpopular outfielder for his criticism of the atmosphere surrounding the team as being the reason the club hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.

The Yankees sign free agent and former Yankee Nick Johnson to a one-year contract with an option for 2011. He is expected to play DH and bat second in place of Johnny Damon, whom the Yanks announce they will not seek to re-sign.

Avoiding arbitration, Ricky Nolasco and the Marlins agree to a $3.8 million, one-year deal, which is an increase of $1.4 million from last season. The team’s Opening Day starter posted a 13-9 record, compiling an ERA of 5.06 for the Fish last season.

2009 – The Mets sign Japanese right-handed reliever Ryota Igarashi to a two-year contract. Igarashi has spent his entire 11-year career in Nippon Pro Baseball with the Yakult Swallows.

In a deal, involving four teams and nine players, and resulting in two Cy Young Award winners getting traded, the Phillies send three top minor leaguers, Travis d’Arnaud, Kyle Drabek (son of former CYA winner Doug Drabek), and Michael Taylor, who will be traded to get A’s third baseman Brett Wallace, to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. After securing their new ace, Philadelphia sends their former ace, Cliff Lee, to the Mariners to restock their minor league system by getting prospects outfielder Tyson Gillies and right-handers Phillippe Aumont and Juan Ramirez from Seattle.

The Orioles sign two free agents, reliever Mike Gonzalez formerly of the Braves, and 3B Garrett Atkins, who was with the Rockies.

The Dodgers sign utility player Jamey Carroll to a two-year contract.

Commissioner Bud Selig announces that he will chair a 14-person committee to analyze ways to improve baseball’s on-field product. The group will look at issues such as the pace of the game, umpiring, instant replay and possible rule changes.

The White Sox acquire OF Juan Pierre from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. Pierre, signed to a five-year contract worth $44 million before the 2007 season, has become the odd man out in the Dodgers’ outfield with the development of youngsters Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp and the acquisition of superstar slugger Manny Ramirez in 2008.

Rumors of a blockbuster three-team deal involving two former American League Cy Young Award winners dominate the headlines. The trade sends 2003 winner Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays to the Phillies and 2008 winner Cliff Lee from the Phils to Seattle, with the Blue Jays picking up a load of prospects. The youngsters changing teams include P Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor and C Travis d’Arnaud from Philly to Toronto. For their part, the Phils pick up P Phillippe Aumont and OF Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez from Seattle, while, to further complicate the deal, Toronto then flips Taylor to Oakland for another top draft pick, 1B Brett Wallace. Final confirmation of the complex transaction only takes place on December 16th.