Yes:

In a perfect world, the Padres would be able to acquire that elusive, almost mythical "big bat" that their runs-starved lineup so needs and their title-starved fans so covet for the bargain price of a middling Triple-A relief pitcher.

In the real world, of course, things don't work that way. To receive top-shelf talent, a club must surrender top-shelf talent, and the Padres have precious little to offer without disrupting a pitching staff that's largely responsible for their surprisingly robust record or raiding a minor-league system that has finally begun to recover from years of neglect.

So while fans close their eyes and dream of Jermaine Dye or Andruw Jones manning the middle of the Padres' lineup, general manager Kevin Towers ---- whose trades don't take place in a fantasy league ---- is forced to set his sights a little lower. He's forced to shop in the bin that includes an outfielder whose talent is offset by a well-documented temper problem and a history of injuries.

Clearly, Milton Bradley, the Padres' latest attempt to resuscitate a moribund offense, does not come without warts. His surly demeanor is not the ideal addition to a clubhouse that's known for a casual, jovial environment. And his brittle body ---- only once, in 2004 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has Bradley logged more than 101 games in a season ---- does not inspire confidence that he'll be a reliable threat for the Padres.

If trading for Bradley represents a risk, however, the risk is so low as to easily justify the potential reward. When healthy and content, the 29-year-old is a dangerous and disciplined hitter as well as a deft outfielder.

Various ailments, most recently a strained oblique, limited Bradley to only 65 at-bats with Oakland this season. Last year, though, he was a major force in spurring the A's to the playoffs, batting .300 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs after the All-Star break. In the postseason, Bradley shone even brighter, with a .323 average, three homers and seven RBIs as Oakland reached the American League Championship Series.

Bradley's career average of .271 is 27 points higher than the Padres' team mark of .244 and at least 47 points higher than the figures of the players he will displace in left field: Terrmel Sledge (.224) and Russell Branyan (.211). His career on-base percentage of .354 would rank second on the Padres behind Branyan's mark of .359.

To take Bradley off the hands of A's GM Billy Beane, the Padres merely had to part with minor-league reliever Andrew Brown, who was 2-3 with a 2.78 ERA at Triple-A Portland but whose wildness did not endear him to the club's decision-makers. Besides, is there any team in baseball less in need of bullpen arms than the Padres?

Most significant, perhaps, the Padres owe Bradley only $650,000, with Oakland on the hook for most of the $2 million left on his contract. Not bad for an experiment that could pay huge dividends.

And if it blows up in the Padres' face, so be it. They'll still be lacking the big bopper of their dreams, but what will they have lost?