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Monday, March 23, 2009

Dodgers.com: Estes to report to Minors camp Veteran lefty will attempt transition to relief speciali

PHOENIX—Veteran starting pitcher Shawn Estes agreed to report to the Dodgers’ Minor League camp on Monday and attempt a transition to left-handed relief specialist.

Estes, cut Sunday with a choice of reporting to the Minor Leagues or receiving his release, said the compromise was raised in a meeting he had Sunday with general manager Ned Colletti. The Dodgers have been unsuccessful in finding a second left-handed reliever to complement Hong-Chih Kuo.

“I’m going over there to pitch out of the bullpen,” said Estes. “I’ll pitch tomorrow, probably pitch on back-to-back days, then come back to the Major League club for the last week. I kind of like it, I’m kind of excited. It could be a new phase of my career.”

Tripon Posted: March 23, 2009 at 03:47 PM | 12 comment(s)
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1. akrasian Posted: March 23, 2009 at 08:11 PM (#3112111)

It didn't take long for his agent to get laughed off the phone with the other 29 teams.

2. Freeballin' Posted: March 23, 2009 at 08:40 PM (#3112148)

Out of the question that this could work? Is he really worse than Schoenweis?

3. akrasian Posted: March 23, 2009 at 09:31 PM (#3112196)

Out of the question that this could work? Is he really worse than Schoenweis?

Well, he could actually make the team - just a few key groundouts in just a couple of innings could do it.

But his continuing it all season is much less likely.

4. Foster Posted: March 23, 2009 at 11:59 PM (#3112442)

Good for him.

If he sucks, he sucks. But good for him to squash his ego and see how he can stick in the game awhile longer.

5. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: March 24, 2009 at 01:22 AM (#3112595)

Glad to see the recession hasn't hurt left handed pitchers.

I'm pretty sure if you can throw above 85 mph with your left arm and are breathing, then you can get a contract to play baseball. Somewhere.

6. sunil sahal Posted: March 24, 2009 at 02:09 AM (#3112603)

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7. Jason Kendall's #6,530,420,771 fan (AS) Posted: March 24, 2009 at 04:02 AM (#3112619)

Mr. Sahal,

I am intrigued by your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. My email address is bselig@mlb.com.

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8. Trevor Crowe T. Robot (Dan Lee) Posted: March 24, 2009 at 06:43 AM (#3112631)

I think Sunil is onto something.

If the LOOGY thing doesn't work out, Estes can always go sell Carolina Panthers Tickets.

9. LSR Posted: March 24, 2009 at 06:46 AM (#3112632)

Out of the question that this could work? Is he really worse than Schoenweis?

Think of it this way: Schoenweis has been in the Majors for 10 years. During that time, Estes has never once posted an ERA+ of better than 100 - and the two times that he did manage to get to 100 were way back when Al Gore still thought that he'd be replacing Bill Clinton in the White House.

Be thankful for what you've got ... and be thankful that what you've got isn't Shawn Estes.

10. Philippe Posted: March 24, 2009 at 01:24 PM (#3113083)

No matter what anyone says, I think there is something wrong with the construction of today's pitching staffs when the wreck that is Shawn Estes is being considered as a serious possibility for a contending team's bullpen. There must be five or six better ways to use that roster spot and reallocate those 40 innings of work.

11. The Essex Snead Posted: March 24, 2009 at 01:49 PM (#3113117)

I thought it was accepted that Schoenweis (sp?) is perfectly fine as long as he's utilizied solely as a LOOGY-plus-1 type of reliever?

12. MM1f Posted: March 24, 2009 at 02:05 PM (#3113131)

Out of the question that this could work? Is he really worse than Schoenweis?

Its possible. Darren Oliver made the transition from washed-up lefty starter to really good LOOGY and Estes has always been seen as the kind of guy with more talent than results. Its not unheard of for guys like that to find success in the pen

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Dodgers.com: Estes to report to Minors camp Veteran lefty will attempt transition to relief speciali

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