Diaz was 'Expendable'

How about this for a little perspective from the Rangers website regarding the Diaz for Stairs trade:

“Both Chavez and Diaz were considered expendable, and [Rangers GM Jon] Daniels expressed relief and satisfaction that the Rangers were able to add to their Major League team without having to give up some of their best young prospects, including shortstop Joaquin Arias and pitchers John Danks, Thomas Diamond and Edinson Volquez. That was the goal, to improve the team now without hurting the future.”

I’m guessing that the Rangers wouldn’t have given us one of their prized pitching prospects for Matt Stairs, and Daniels is probably just saying what all general managers say after trading for a veteran at the end of his career—in that, they didn’t have to give up much to get him, but it’s still a little irritating to see in print, isn’t it?