Reds and he was added to the roster. Hairston enjoyed a nice bounce-back season in 2008, hitting .326 with an on-base percentage of .384 across 297 plate appearances. He also had 15 stolen bases, his most since 2002, despite only playing in 80 games. He was re-signed after the season, on January 7, 2009, to a one-year contract; the contract contained $2 million in guaranteed money. While his numbers did decline sharply in 2009, he appeared in 131 games between the Reds and Yankees, his most since 2001. In two seasons with the Reds, he hit .287 in 166 games. World Baseball Classic Hairston represented Mexico at the 2009 World Baseball Classic alongside his brother Scott. Hairston's mother was born in Mexico, making him eligible to play for the Mexican team. He had 4 hits in 14 at-bats in the Classic. New York Yankees On July 31, 2009, he was traded to the New York Yankees for minor league catcher Chase Weems. On August 1, 2009, Hairston got his first hit and RBI as a Yankee. On October 17, 2009, he got his first career post-season hit in his first career post-season at-bat and later ended a 13-inning ALCS Game 2 by scoring on an error by the Angels' Maicer Izturis. This gave the Yankees a 2–0 advantage going into the third game of the series. He had 1 hit in 6 at-bats for the Yankees in the 2009 World Series. In his half season with the Yanks, he hit .237 with 2 homeruns and 12 RBIs in 45 games. San Diego Padres On January 18, 2010, Hairston signed a one-year, $2.15 million contract with the San Diego Padres, the same team as his brother, Scott Hairston, was playing on. Hairston's 2010 season was cut short in September with a fractured right tibia, but he still played in 119 games with the Padres, hitting .244 with a career high 10 homeruns (tied with 2009) and 50 RBIs despite playing his home games at notoriously pitcher friendly Petco Park. Washington Nationals On January 19, 2011, Hairston agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Washington Nationals that included over $1 million in incentives. He played in 75 games for them, hitting .268. Milwaukee Brewers On July 30, 2011, Hairston was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Double-A outfielder Erik Komatsu. He played in 45 games for the Brewers, hitting .274.