If you are just tuning in, it looks like the Phillies have acquired Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays for a "prospect".
Quotes are necessary there because given Stairs' age, 40, and the fact that the Blue Jays are going nowhere fast, he wouldn't be expected to yield much for our Canadian friends. Think more Karl Bolt than Lou Marson.
As for Stairs, no, he isn't going to suddenly make the Phillies a World Series lock, but he does improve the bench. Think about it, as much as we all get as giddy as a Young Democrat over Barrack Obama when Cole Hamels has to pinch-hit, shouldn't we rather have Stairs? Despite his age, he's perfectly capable of performing at a league-average level at the plate.
One last thought. Remember how some scoffed at last season's Russell Branyan pick-up? And remember how he hit a pinch-homer for the Phils to win a game? And remember how much the Phillies won the NL East by last year?
You never know...
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Update: It looks as if the Phils are giving up a little more than I thought for Stairs -- Fabio Castro [ESPN.com]. Castro may someday turn into something, but I have yet to see signs of it. In addition, Stairs is actually under contract for next season as well at $1 million, so all in all, this is probably a good deal for the Phillies.
