The Reds finally got the left-handed starter they were seeking Thursday when they obtained Shawn Estes from the New York Mets for four minor leaguers.

Shawn Estes was 4-9 with a 4.55 ERA with the Mets (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The trade ends the Reds' hunt for a lefty. They tried and failed to obtain Chuck Finley from the Cleveland Indians and Kenny Rogers from the Texas Rangers. They got Bruce Chen from the Montreal Expos, but moved him to the bullpen after one ineffective start.

        “This is a deal we felt we had to make,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said.

        Two things made the deal possible:

        The Mets were willing to pick up the rest of Estes $6.2 million salary (about $1.5 million);

        The Reds didn't have to give up any prime prospects. They sent Triple-A left-hander Pedro Feliciano and rookie ball outfielder Elvin Andujar to the Mets now, and New York will get two more players later.

        “We gave up quantity, not quality,” Bowden said.

        Estes, 29, will start Saturday's game against the Houston Astros. Estes was 4-9 with a 4.55 ERA with the Mets.

        “The key to the deal was in the last five starts, he started to throw well,” Bowden said. “He showed what he's capable of.”

        Estes was 1-2 with a 2.64 ERA in those starts. The one win was a 10-0 decision over Houston in which Estes pitched seven innings of two-hit, shutout ball.

        “If we can catch lightning in a bottle, it would be gigantic,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “He gives us a left-hander starter, which we've been looking for - and a quality one at that.”

        The Reds cleared a roster spot for Estes by placing reliever Scott Sullivan (shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list. A spot on the 40-man roster can be cleared by moving right-hander Luis Pineda, out for at least nine months after shoulder surgery, from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.

        Estes was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Mets in December. Estes' best year was 1997 when he was 19-5 with a 3.18 ERA for the Giants.

        The Reds are hoping pitching coach Don Gullett can tap into that potential.

        “Everyone seems to do better under Don Gullett,” Bowden said. “This is a pitcher Don Gullett wanted. (Gullett's) been involved in this for about a month. We tried to get (Estes) before the trading deadline.”

        The Reds got Estes after the non-waiver trade deadline, which means he cleared waivers. Estes becomes a free agent after this season.

        Estes' career stats

Diamondbacks 7, Reds 2 Reds Box, Runs Baseball owners at odds with themselves Union has taken advantage of owners' missteps Strike date likely today Reds finally get lefty in Estes Mets throw in towel Ailing Johnson keeps D'backs rolling DAUGHERTY: No fear, just strikeouts Reds-Astros Preview Injuries leave bullpen thin Louisville takes over first place Reds Notebook: Dessens' return delayed Rain ends Braves-Giants in tie Cardinals 11, Pirates 5 Cubs 6, Astros 4 Mariners 4, Red Sox 3 Yankees 7, Royals 5

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