The San Diego Padres continued to clean house by cutting loose Josh Bard and Shawn Estes. The 30-year old, switch hitting Bard played in only 57 games for the Padres last season and he was 36 for 178 (.202 avg, .549 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer and 16 RBIs. He was dogged by injuries most of last season after having two solid years with the Padres. In three years with the Padres, Bard played in 268 games going 225 for 798 (.282 avg) with 81 runs scored, 15 homers and 107 RBIs. 35-year old lefty starting pitcher Shawn Estes missed all of the 2007 season for the Padres recovering from major surgery but he pitched in 9 games (8 starts) with the Padres this season and he was 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Estes has now pitched in 283 games (281 starts) in his major league career and he is 101-93 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Estes has good stuff but he has tended to nimble too much in his major league career walking 858 batters in 1678.1 career innings. Estes and Bard should both benefit from a new environment for the 2009 season.