After 11 years, Bill Hall's association with the Milwaukee Brewers has come to an end.
The team sent Hall to the Seattle Mariners for minor league reliever Ruben Flores on Wednesday. Hall had been designated for assignment a week ago after showing no signs of emerging from a nearly two-year slump.
He was hitting .201 with six homers and 24 RBI in 76 games with the Brewers this season, but as his struggles worsened, Casey McGehee emerged as a viable option at third base and Hall eventually accepted a brief minor league assignment.
Hall signed a four-year, $24 million contract in 2007 after he hit .270 with 35 homers and 85 RBI during the 2006 campaign. He was shuffled to a number of different positions, including centerfield, but never posted similar offensive numbers and found himself buried deep on manager Ken Macha's bench.
After an Aug. 12 shakeup that also saw shortstop J.J. Hardy sent to Class AAA Nashville, Hall was designated for assignment and eventually cleared waivers, opening the door to a trade. In Seattle, Hall will be reunited with general manager Jack Zduriencik, who was the Brewers' director of player development when Hall was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft.
"We value Bill as a versatile player who can play the outfield and three infield positions," Zduriencik told MLB.com. "Billy has been a starting shortstop, third baseman and center fielder in his career and a very solid major-league player who brings you experience and versatility."
The deal also included "cash considerations," meaning Milwaukee is likely on the hook for a significant amount of the more than $10 million still owed to Hall through the end of this season and 2010. Hall also has an option of excess of $9 million or a buyout for 2011.
Flores hasn't exactly lit the world on fire this season, going 1-0 with a 15.03 ERA in eight outings with Class A High Desert this season. The right-hander opened the season with Class A Clinton this season and is 3-2 with a 4.39 ERA between the two teams in 2009.
He will be assigned to the Class A Brevard County for the remainder of the season.
