Cubs sign temperamental Bradley to three-year deal

Milton Bradley follows through on his solo home run as Philadelphia Philles catcher Chris Coste looks on during the fifth inning of interleague MLB action in Arlington, Texas June 27, 2008.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago Cubs have signed switch-hitting outfielder Milton Bradley to a three-year deal worth $30 million, the team announced Thursday.

Bradley hit .321 with 22 home runs for the Texas Rangers last season and bolsters the middle of the lineup for the Cubs, who were swept in last year's National League divisional series despite compiling the league's top regular-season record.

The deal is the biggest and longest contract the 30-year-old has received in his career.

"I'm a guy who believes I can make a difference and get to that next level," Bradley told a news conference. "That's my only motivation. That's my only goal."

Bradley is known as much for the tantrums and angry outbursts that have characterized his eight-year career as he is for his talent.

"People who have never met me are speaking about me. It's not very intelligent to speak about someone you've never met," Bradley said. "It's in the past, it's over with."

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Alastair Himmer)