Shawn Estes

Estes spent 2007 rehabbing from June 2006 Tommy John surgery. He will probably get a non-roster invite somewhere and will try to win a back-end rotation spot or long-relief role during spring training. Estes will be 35 by the time Opening Day rolls around and he has thrown only six major league innings since 2005. He struggled to keep his ERA below 5.00 from 2002-2005, so don't expect much from this soft tosser in 2008.

Estes missed almost all of the 2006 season after having Tommy John surgery in June. Although an exact return date has not been projected, judging by typical recovery times, he might not be ready until around the All-Star Break. The crafty left-hander will try to win a role with the Padres as a middle or long reliever, but his health makes him a big question mark.

Still recovering from a foot injury that cost him most of the 2005 season, Estes signed with the Padres in January. That he had to pass a physical bodes well for his recovery, and he couldn't have landed in a better pitching environment. That said, Estes' skill set is poor, and even a return to health and a good park won't change that.

Estes is a middle-aged, soft-tossing lefty who can't get it done even away from Coors. His 5.32 road ERA in 2004 is bad news for whoever signs him, as is his 110/90 average K/BB ratio over the past three seasons. He hasn't had a productive season in eight years, and although he'll land a starting job somewhere as a left-handed innings-eater, he isn't expected to contribute anything but innings and perhaps wins.

Estes was a dog last season, posting a 103/83 K/BB ratio and a 5.73 ERA in 153 innings pitched. Throw in a 1.740 WHIP, and you have a free agent lefty who may have to accept a minor-league deal in the hope of making a big-league roster.

Estes, who continued his inconsistent ways in 2002, still hasn't been able to curb his control problems. Over his career, Estes has pitched exceedingly better at home than on the road, which in part reflects that his three primary home parks have been Candlestick Park, PacBell Park and Shea Stadium, all extreme pitchers parks. If Estes ends up signing with a team that plays in a pitcher-friendly park, and you have the roster flexibility to bench him for his road starts, he's worth a chance. Otherwise, pass.