MINNEAPOLIS — Bret Boone wanted a chance to jump-start his career, and the Minnesota Twins found a proven veteran for their unproductive infield.

This should be a good fit for the second half of the season.

Boone, a three-time All-Star second baseman, was acquired by the Twins on Monday — eight days after being dumped by the Seattle Mariners.

"I'm not saying that Bret Boone is going to be a savior, but he might be a guy that can help," Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan said. "There's a lot at stake for him, obviously."

The Mariners had designated the 36-year-old Boone for assignment, which meant they had 10 days to trade him before he became a free agent. They will pay the balance of his $9.25 million salary, minus the prorated portion of the major league minimum salary (approximately half of $316,000) that the Twins will pick up. Minnesota is also on the hook for a player to be named.

"This is a high-reward, low-risk situation," Ryan said. "I don't think there's any downside."

Boone's career in Seattle peaked in 2001, when he finished third in the AL MVP vote and batted .331 with 118 runs, 37 homers and 141 RBIs for a club that won 116 games and lost in the league championship series to the New York Yankees. Though he won his fourth Gold Glove last season, Boone began to slump while the Mariners did, too. They went 63-99, their worst record since 1983.

This year, Seattle is 39-48 at the break — the third-worst mark in the AL — and 12 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. Boone was batting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBIs.

The Mariners' decision to get rid of him stung, bringing him to tears after finding out July 3. But with the Twins, Boone will see significant playing time and get to be part of a pennant race again.

"This was his first, second and third choice," said Adam Katz, Boone's agent. "Brett wanted to play on a team that was going to have a chance to go to the postseason."

Though the Twins are nine games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, they're currently leading the wild card race with a 48-38 record. Having won three straight division titles, Minnesota doesn't want to settle for that, which is why Ryan made a move.

"I think it's apparent that we need something to happen," he said. "We need to get going here. Just watching us score two and three runs a game, it's getting old."

Second base has been a particular problem for the Twins, with Luis Rivas, Nick Punto, Luis Rodriguez and Michael Cuddyer all getting starts there this season. Boone will likely become the everyday player, with Punto and Cuddyer probably fighting for time at third.

"I just hope it's good for him, and he'll help us," Minnesota left-hander Johan Santana said at Comerica Park in Detroit.

"Sounds awesome," Nathan said. "He's going to do nothing but help us, and hopefully he'll get back to his old form. Hopefully it'll be like the Shannon Stewart trade."

The Twins were 44-49 at the break in 2003, when they acquired Stewart from the Toronto Blue Jays and surged to the playoffs.