Reds Trade Edinson Volquez, Three Young Players To Padres For Mat Latos

Typically, Baseball Prospectus absolutely kills transaction analyses … and R.J. Anderson’s take on the big Reds-Padres is no exception. His big finish on San Diego’s side of the equation:

If nothing else, the Padres’ farm system—which already featured nine four-star prospects—just added some additional talent. Things might not be pretty for the major league team in 2012, but San Diego could come to mean “loaded” in German from 2013 onward.

As always, we might be too bullish on the young team’s short-term prospects. The Padres won’t be good in 2012 and they probably won’t be real good in 2013, either. But they are loaded with young talent and, considering their competition, I do expect San Diego to be in the thick of the pennant race in 2014 or ‘15. Which might seem like a long ways off if you’re a fan, but otherwise will pass in the snap of your fingers.

Saturday, the Cincinnati Reds traded starting pitcher Edinson Volquez and three young players — first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal, and pitcher Brad Boxberger — to the San Diego Padres for starting pitcher Mat Latos.

Minor League Ball’s John Sickels offers scoring reports on the trio of prospects; his big finish:

This seems like a trade that will help both teams, although in different ways. The Reds didn’t have room for Alonso and they like Mesoraco slightly better than Grandal. They took two blocked players and a pair of surplus arms and turned it into an established starter in Latos. The Padres add depth to an already-strong farm system, and all three prospects involved are either ready (Alonso) or almost ready (Boxberger, Grandal) to contribute. If these three guys develop to their maximum potential, the Padres will get the better of this trade in the long run.

John’s a nice guy, and perhaps tending toward charitability here. Latos is a fine pitcher, but everyone seems to be highly impressed with the talent the Padres received in this deal.