The Washington Nationals had to let somebody go off their 25-man roster after netting Jonny Gomes in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers. As expected, the man to go is Matt Stairs. The Nationals announced they have designated Stairs for assignment, potentially ending his 19-year baseball career.
Stairs was signed in the offseason, but his skills even as a pinch hitter had diminished. He had just 10 hits in 65 at-bats this season, and had essentially become another coach. He hit six home runs in 2010 with the San Diego Padres, but could not come close to matching that this year.
For his career thus far, Stairs hit 265 home runs while playing for 12 different teams. If this is indeed the end of his run, it was a heck of a career for one of baseball's most unique players. We shall see if any team picks him up.