I am sickened over the recent trade that will bring Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds while sending a former All-Star and three of the best prospects to the San Diego Padres.
This one may go down harder than Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas. My God, what was Walt Jocketty thinking?
Latos for Yonder Alonso would have been a good deal; Latos for Alonso and Edinson Volquez would be too much. Having the other two (Yasmani Grandal and Brad Boxberger) thrown in for good measure is just ridiculous.
The Oakland Athletics only wanted Alonso, Grandal and another player for All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez. Who among you would not rather see the southpaw at GABP than Latos?
Gonzalez has a GB ratio of about 48 percent, while Latos throws about 42 percent grounders.
Alonso was one of the best trading pawns in all of baseball and Grandal was not that far behind. All that sacrificed for a No. 2 starter—not even an ace. Come on, this trade can’t be justified anyway you look at it.
Alonso could have played left field—albeit poorly, but he would have been a placeholder. With Grandal’s departure, I am sure catcher Ryan Hanigan breathed a great sigh of relief.
Look at it this way: The Reds traded three No. 1 picks and a pitcher (the same pitcher they had traded a future MVP for), just to land a non-ace starter who wasn’t even supposed to be going anywhere.
I am bewildered, and still trying to wrap my head around this entire deal. So now we have one more “decent” pitcher and no pawns left to play with for future deals.
I refuse to let myself become excited over such a lopsided deal.
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