10 best MLB waiver trades since 2000

Jul 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hit a solo home run off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman (31), not in picture, during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 12, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; A general view of a Philadelphia Phillies hat and glove on the grass at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Stairs did not produce a hefty stat line during his brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, and his regular season numbers were rather forgettable. It was his value in the postseason, however, that made his acquisition such a good move.

On August 30, 2008, Philadelphia sent relief pitcher Fabio Castro to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Stairs. While Castro showed potential in limited action for the Phillies, he would never play another game in the majors following the trade.

Meanwhile, Stairs would play a very important role in helping the Phillies win their first World Series in 28 years.

At 40-years-old, he was not expected to be an everyday player, but rather a left-handed bat that could provide power off the bench. And that’s exactly what he did during the final month of the 2008 season, as well as in October.

Stairs recorded five hits, two home runs, five RBI and four runs in 19 regular season plate appearances. And although he would only record one hit during the postseason, it could not have come at a better time.

In Game 5 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Stairs was called upon in the top of the eighth inning with the game tied at five. With two outs, he belted a two-run homer that would give the Phillies a 7-5 victory.

The win gave Philadelphia a 3-1 series lead. They would go on to finish off the Dodgers and defeat the Tampa Bay Rays in five games during the World Series.

Next: Yankees acquire Luis Sojo

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