"He's got a lot of experience and played with winning teams with the Giants," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "The guy gives us a proven veteran. We always liked him and felt he would strengthen our bench."

Signed as a free agent in January, Aurilia slumped this season. He hit just .241 with four home runs and 28 RBIs in his first year in the AL. He was designated for assignment July 10, giving the Mariners 10 days to decide what to do with him.

"We hope the change of scenery gets him back on track," Bochy said. "Hopefully, coming back to the National League will do that."

Aurilia has played shortstop for nearly his entire career, and the Padres already have Khalil Greene at that spot.

Greene has been impressive in his rookie year, but might need a backup toward the end of his first full season. The Padres are in contention for the NL West lead while the Mariners had the worst record in the AL at the time of the trade.

"He will be a utility player here," Bochy said. "He will help us on the field and in the clubhouse. He's a clutch player and a winning player. And he's versatile."

Aurilia, 32, hit 37 home runs with 97 RBIs in 2001 with San Francisco while batting in front of Barry Bonds. He led the NL in homers and RBIs by a shortstop in three consecutive seasons (1999-2001) and hit .324 in an All-Star season in 2001.

Aurilia was hurt last year and hit .277 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs with the Giants. He is a career .276 hitter with 130 homers and 501 RBIs since making his major league debut in 1995 with the Giants.