5:56pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Jays will receive pitcher Fabio Castro, who warmed up during today’s game against the Cubs. The 23 year-old lefty has struggled with his control, but still makes for a solid acquisition by J.P. Ricciardi.
12:19am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies acquired outfielder/first baseman Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays. The prospect in the deal has yet to be determined. Stairs was designated for assignment recently. He fills the Phillies’ need for a left-handed bench bat (likely taking them out of the market for Mike Lamb).
Stairs, 40, hit .250/.342/.394 in 368 plate appearances with the Jays this year. He was mostly shielded from left-handed pitching. Stairs is owed $400K this year and $1MM in ’09.
Interestingly, the Jays will now give 20 year-old top prospect Travis Snider a look.
