Phils get Stairs from Blue Jays

Subject: Phils get Stairs from Blue Jays Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:55 am

Sources: Phils get Stairs from Blue Jays

The Phillies, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench, have acquired outfielder Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays, according to major-league sources.

The Jays will receive a prospect in return. The identity of that player has not yet been determined.

The Phillies have been actively searching for bench help, and their urgency only increased after they placed outfielder Geoff Jenkins on the disabled list Saturday. The team attempted to acquire outfielder Mark Kotsay earlier this week, but the Braves traded Kotsay to the Red Sox.

Stairs is hitting .250 this season with 11 homers and 44 RBIs. He was designated for assignment Thursday to clear a spot for outfielder Travis Snider, who is one of the Jays' top position prospects and will replace Stairs in the outfield.

Snider, 20, was the Jays' first-round pick out of Everett (Wash.) H.S. in 2006. He began the season at Class A, then jumped to Class AA and Class AAA. In 18 games with Class AAA Syracuse, he was batting .344 with two home runs and 17 RBIs.

Subject: Re: Phils get Stairs from Blue Jays Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:34 pm

Detroit - 2006

On the day he was claimed, he immediately went to Detroit, arriving at Comerica Park halfway through the game and immediately took Marcus Thames' place in the lineup. The Tigers picked up Stairs in hopes that his experience could help them hold their Division Lead. The Tigers lost their division lead on the final day of the season but still clinched the Wild Card. Since he was acquired after the trade deadline he was inelgible for the Tiger's playoff run. The Tigers went on to win the AL Pennant and lost in the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. He did not resign with the Tigers following the season.