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.
We needed more than Dobbs off the bench for sure. I'm glad we made a move before the post-season deadline.— commissioner_gordon- and "takeitdeep" the term "WT" has no place in this discussion— commissioner_gordon
- Randall Simon is in the Atlantic League...very busy.— mobshot
Comment removed.- nice bench pickup. i guess the rest of you wanted Pujols?— brian2706
- No, it's not a sexy move nor have we added an all-star, but at least he knows what to do with a bat. Yes, the Phils could use an upgrade in several areas, but I really do not hate this move. As for Kotsay, what would they do with him? Sit Burrell? Sit Werth? Sit Victorino? Didn't think so.— MrPhillie
- Has Ryan Madson ever pitched a 1-2-3 inning in his career?— BobbyD
- Comment removed.
