The San Diego Padres Trade Pitcher Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a big deal that landed them one of the best pitchers in baseball. According to ESPN, the Reds will send Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, and Edison Volquez to the San Diego Padres. Mat Latos will be the number two pitcher behind Johnny Cueto, and Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, and Homer Bailey fill out the rest of the rotation.

Latos pitched to a 3.47 ERA and a 1.184 WHIP in 2011. In 2010, he finished 8th in Cy Young voting. He had a 2.92 ERA in 2010. For the past two seasons, Latos has had a SO/9 over 8 (9.2 in 2011 and 8.6 in 2010). Although Latos only won 9 games in 2011, he will win many more with the stronger Cincinnati Reds.

Yonder Alonso, an infielder, and Yasmani Grandal, a catcher, are both acclaimed prospects and were the major players the Padres traded for. Edison Volquez has been inconsistent over the past three seasons, and has been unable to overcome many injuries.