The
Cincinnati Reds, who won the National League Central crown in 2010,
sensed the opportunity to seize the division once again in 2012 given
key losses on both the Brewers and Cardinals. They also recognized
that another stalwart was needed to bolster their starting rotation.
They
addressed that need by trading flame-throwing yet inconsistent
right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez and three promising prospects to
the San Diego Padres for potential ace Mat Latos.
Latos,
only 24 years old, has gone 27-29 in three seasons with the Padres
with a 3.47 ERA. His ERA indicates that he has taken some hard luck
losses over the past couple of years for the Padres, as he also has
struck out 413 batters and walked only 135 while giving up only 365
hits in 430 innings of work.
Armed
with a dominating fastball, a sharp breaking ball and
very good command, the Coconut Creek, Fla. native started for the
East squad opposite the West's Jordan Walden, now a key members of
the Angels' bullpen, in the 2005 Classic. Latos will join another
All-American starter, Homer Bailey, who started the inaugural contest
in 2003 opposite the late Nick Adenhart, on the Reds' staff.
Among
the three prospects included in the trade is catcher Yasmani Grandal,
another All-American alum who played for the East team in the 2006
Classic. The Reds selected Grandal with the 12th overall
pick in the 2010 draft after three productive seasons for the Miami
Hurricanes. The switch-hitting backstop finished the 2011 season at
the AAA level, hitting .303/.401/.488 in 113
career minor league games.
Another former Hurricane, first
baseman Yonder Alonso, also a Perfect Game and WWBA alum,
has been labelled as a potential trade candidate for the Reds for a
couple of years since the emergence of 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto. The
sweet-swinging left-handed hitter has a .293/.370/.466/.837 slash
line in 313 minor league games.
Projected
short-reliever and future potential closer Brad Boxberger also was
included in the deal. Boxberger struck out 93 in 62 innings last
year with a 2.03 ERA spanning 62 games, all in relief.