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This could be the end for ex-Dodger Milton Bradley -- designated for assignment by Mariners

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Is that the end of Milton Bradley, baseball star?

All logic says it is, which doesn’t mean some desperate team might not give him yet one more you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me opportunity.

The troubled Bradley was released Monday by the Mariners, and although his temper and off-the-field issues remained real problems, one other thing has to be noted:

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He can no longer hit.

Bradley was batting .218 this season, which follows on the heels of last season’s .205 mark.

He is only 33, so I guess all things are still possible, but the Mariners -- with one of the worst offenses in all of baseball (28th in slugging, 27th in average, 25th in runs) -- no longer believed it. And they’re paying him $13.3 million this season.

The Tacoma New Tribune reported the club has designated Bradley for assignment to call up rookie outfielder Carlos Peguero, who in an earlier stint with Seattle batted .182.

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Bradley always seemed like this enormous talent being held back by inner battles. He could be very charming, yet so volatile it became difficult for a team to count on him. One of his best seasons was actually for the Dodgers in 2004, when he hit 19 home runs with 67 RBI. And even then his mercurial nature remained such a problem that after the next season he was traded to the A’s for a prospect named Andre Ethier.

Ethier is Bradley’s gift to the Dodgers who keeps on giving.

Bradley has now played for the Nationals (Expos), Indians, Dodgers, A’s, Padres, Rangers, Cubs and Mariners. And the story line was unfortunately consistent, burned bridges left throughout. A talent ultimately not worth the trouble.

There could easily be one more team willing to offer him a minor-league gig. Or this could easily be the end of Bradley the baseball star.

-- Steve Dilbeck

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