Padres-Reds Trade
The Reds paid a high price to get Latos from the Padres but considering he is a #1 starter, it could be worth it. The Reds gave up infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal along with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez.
"To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent," general manager Walt Jocketty said.
Mat Latos
The Reds now have a top starter to go along with Johnny Cueto in their rotation. Latos was 9-14 last season but the Padres were a bad team and Latos pitched well. He had an ERA of 3.47 and was near the top of the National League in strikeouts. Latos was surprised by the trade but going to a contender helped eased the shock. "A little bit of shock and a little bit of excitement," Latos said, “Shock because literally I wake up and I'm traded. Excitement because I'm excited to join a club that's got a lot of talent and a lot of potential. I'm excited for new scenery."
Cincinnati’s rotation will now have Cueto and Latos at the top with Bronson Arroyo the number three while Mike Leake and Homer Bailey fill out the last two spots. "When we have Cueto and Latos at the top of our rotation, I think people are going to take notice," Jocketty said.
Bad Trade for San Diego
The Padres are trying to put a positive spin on their trade of Latos but the bottom line is that they let a number one starter who can impact baseball odds get away for prospects. "We do have a good group of pitchers. We have a very good group in Double-A coming up behind him (Latos).” General manager Josh Byrnes said, “It was a tough trade to make, but ... we have a huge chunk of talent we have put in the system the last couple of years and ultimately I think that's our best path to success." The Padres are hoping that Alonso is ready to play in the Major Leagues because if he is not then the trade is a disaster. Volquez had a 5.71 ERA last season for the Reds and Grandal still has work to do to be a Major League catcher.
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