Once the Brewers designated Bill Hall for assignment with $10.5 million remaining on his contract, they never had a chance to receive a major-leaguer when talking trade.
Assistant general manager Gord Ash detailed that process Wednesday after the Brewers announced they had traded Hall to the Seattle Mariners for minor-league pitcher Ruben Flores.
Ash would not reveal the amount of money the Brewers absorbed to trade Hall, but SI.com reported they would pay the remainder of his $6.8 million salary this season and as much as $7.15 million of the $8.4 million he is owed in 2010.
There is also a 2011 club option on Hall's four-year, $24 million contract for $9.25 million with a $500,000 buyout, now Seattle's responsibility.
Hall, 29, was given his $24 million deal after batting .270 in 2006 with team highs of 35 home runs and 85 RBI. After switching from shortstop to center field in '07, his offensive numbers fell to .254 with 14 homers and 63 RBI.
Moved to third base in '08, Hall's offensive numbers continued to drop, particularly against right-handed hitters, prompting the move to a platoon role. In 128 games, he batted .225 with 15 homers and 55 RBI.
