The Padres fortified their minor league system by trading Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds for three prospects and Edinson Volquez. At least both teams kept their number of oddly spelled first names intact.

Cincinnati gave up infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal — both first-round picks — along with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez to get the 24-year-old Latos, who initially will move into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Johnny Cueto. Latos went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres last season, finishing among the NL leaders in ERA and strikeouts.
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The Reds also gave up right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger, who went 2-4 with 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA last season at Double-A and Triple-A. Jocketty said Boxberger was the final piece in finishing the deal.

It’s interesting they refer to Alonso as an infielder, when mostly he plays first base and some outfield. Still the Padres could use a first baseman to replace Adrian Gonzalez one year out, especially if Kyle Blanks continues to be injury prone. Yasmani Grandal owns a .401 career OBP and catches. He’ll play 2012 as a 23 year old, but he probably needs a little more time at AAA to show he can handle that level.

Meanwhile, the Reds get a pitcher who might even slip into the ace slot. A very nice trade for both teams, as the Padres need some offense, and the Reds, who looked very deep at starting pitcher two years ago, need another established starter.

Matthew Pouliot thinks the A’s should have gotten more for Trevor Cahill if this is what the Padres could get for Latos. I disagree. Latos is a high K, low BB pitcher and Cahill is not. I’d definitely pay more for Mat than Trevor.