After a late-inning dugout confrontation with manager Terry Francona Wednesday night forced their hand, the Red Sox designated outfielder Jay Payton for assignment yesterday and have a deal in place to send him to the Oakland A's for reliever Chad Bradford. Because Bradford, who underwent back surgery in the spring, is currently on the disabled list, the trade can't be announced until the All-Star break, when the veteran reliever, currently on a rehab assignment, is activated. According to multiple industry sources, the Sox had the deal in place and were waiting for Bradford to be activated. But Payton's actions Wednesday night at Texas' Ameriquest Field hastened his departure. Payton's unhappiness has been well documented ever since he went public with his desire to be traded last month, and the Sox have been attempting to meet his request. When Payton verbally jousted with Francona Wednesday night, his fate was sealed. Payton and John Olerud were inserted as defensive replacements in the bottom of the seventh, with Payton taking over for Johnny Damon in center and Olerud replacing Kevin Millar at first. But when Payton learned that he would hit sixth -- in Millar's spot -- and Olerud would hit leadoff -- in Damon's spot -- he erupted, several sources said, claiming that this signified a lack of confidence in his ability as a hitter.