Stairs will be in Phils uniform tomorrow
The Phillies acquired lefthanded hitter Matt Stairs from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Stairs will be in Phils uniform tomorrow
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Matt Stairs will fly to Philadelphia tonight and be in uniform when the Phillies face the Cubs Saturday afternoon, according to Stairs' agent.
Earlier today the Phillies agreed to a deal with the Blue Jays to acquire the veteran lefthander, who is hitting .250 with 11 home runs this season.
The original thought was that Stairs would join the team Sunday or Monday. But Stairs could play as soon as tomorrow after joining the Phillies in Chicago.
"Matt is definitely on the Phillies," Bob Garber, Stairs' agent, said in a text message.
Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said he had nothing to report before today's game at Wrigley Field -- "I can't comment on that," Gillick said when asked about Stairs -- but the Phillies are expected to announce the deal shortly.
Stairs is currently in Tampa where the Blue Jays are playing the Rays.
FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal first reported the deal late last night in the wake of the Phillies' crushing loss to the Cubs.
Stairs, 40, is a 16-year veteran who has made his mark as a DH/OF/1B type with good power. He was hitting .250 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI this season for the Blue Jays. He carries career averages of .266 and 25 home runs per 162 games played.
Stairs can fill in in rightfield when needed, but the Phillies view him primarily as a much-needed addition to their bench.
The club looked at veteran Mike Lamb, who was designated for assignment by the Twins, but decided Stairs was a better fit.
The move likely spells the end of the Fabio Castro era. The lefty reliever was called up yesterday from Triple A to replace Drew Carpenter, who was called up from Double A to replace Andy Tracy when the Phillies needed an extra arm following a 13-inning win over the Mets on Tuesday.
The Phillies have been looking for a lefthanded bat for some time. Currently, Greg Dobbs is the only option off the bench.
The deal is for a minor league player to be named later.
Great. Old. Slow. No glove. Sounds like another consolation prize, this time for the failure to acquire a guy like Kotsay. Think this guy will hit .333 after showing up, as Kotsay has with Boston? Good grief.— lgroniko
Stairs is REALLY slow, but he is a professional hitter. He'll be with the team until Whatsisname gets off the DL.— Bake McBride- So, we need CC Sabathia or Rich Harden, we get Joe Blanton. We need Brian Fuentes, we get Scott Eyre. We need Mark Kotsay, we get Matt Stairs (aka Jeremy Giambi). Is it any wonder that this team's mantra the last 7 years has been "Close, but no cigar"?— RollinsWasRight
- bargain bin bullcrap - thanks cheapo ownership!— phillyinnyc
- Stairs looks like a cross between a truck driver and a civil war soilder. Too bad this is not 1993.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- This deal has shaken up the Mets so much that they're trying to resign Daryl Strawberry.— Burrman
Comment removed.- What...Randall Simon wasn't available???— bdc333
- At least Bull's BBQ sales will go up. They should set-up a bench next to it so he doesn't have to walk far to "fill up".— bdc333
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- Can not believe it MATT STAIRS!!!!!! This guy was playing back when mullets were cool. Whats wrong Kotsay asking too much or you just don't want to WIN>— Trot
- Hey come on guys. Don't be frontrunners. You're gonna hurt his feelings.— cran83
- SEASON = SAVED— CyHamels
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- Wonderful. Does this stop Madson from blowing games and stupid decisions by Manual to take Hamels out of a game they desperately needed to win? This will really scare the bejesus out of the Mets.— GANick
