NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- One of the busiest teams this offseason, the New York Mets acquired lefthander Shawn Estes from the San Francisco Giants Sunday for outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo and infielder Desi Relaford.
Estes joins a team that has added second baseman Robert Alomar, fleet-footed outfielder Roger Cedeno and relievers David Weathers and Mark Guthrie in the past week.
They have given up relatively little. Only aging third baseman Robin Ventura and outfielder Matt Lawton are gone among last season's starters.
The Mets lost to the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series and stayed in the National League playoff race to the last week of the 2001 season.
Estes went 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 27 starts last season but won 15 games in 2000 and 19 in 1997.
The Giants might be more concerned with keeping a specific player than acquiring several. After setting a major league record with 73 home runs last season, Barry Bonds is a free agent and likely will command $20 million a year.
Estes made $4.725 million in 2001 while Shinjo and Relaford combined to collect $975,000.
San Francisco already has re-signed three of its own free agents, including righthander Jason Schmidt, who was acquired during the season and inked a reported four-year, $31 million deal Friday.
While cutting their payroll, the Giants also added some versatility. Relaford can play second base, third or shortstop and Shinjo can play any of the outfield positions.
On Thursday, San Francisco traded outfielder John Vander Wal to the New York Yankees for righthanded reliever Jay Witasick.
