If I'm a Reds fan, I'm in shock today. They gave up C Yasmani Grandal (1st round 2010) Brad Boxberger (1st Round supplemental 2009) and Yonder Alonso (1st round 2008) as well as starting pitcher Edinson Volquez for starting pitcher Mat Latos. This is a much worse deal than the Indians giving up Drew Pomeranz, Alex White and 2 other players for Ubaldo Jimenez. Much worse.
For me, Volquez is not the story here. He really isn't the centerpiece of the deal. Most will say he is, but I'm not sure he will stay healthy for an entire season. But he'll be fine in Petco. His long fly balls won't fly over the fence like they did in Cincy. But the other three guys in the trade? Yikes! Brad Boxberger is a power pitcher with the capability of starting or relieving. Frankly, I like him best in the bullpen. For me, he has the ability to close. He throws in the mid-90's with good arm action and movement on the ball. He hasn't totally thrived in the minor leagues but he's still developing. I've seen lots of him. Most recently, he pitched in the AFL and I wrote extensively about him. I'm totally shocked he was in this deal. He has work to do on his secondary pitches, but that's a matter of repetition and refinement. His slider and change up will be dominant as he matures. I think he'll be a back end of the bullpen guy in San Diego before too long. What a great break for him-being able to throw in Petco as opposed to the Great American Ball Park. Yonder Alonso was blocked by Joey Votto. Votto may depart for free agency eventually, but for now, Alonso was an ill placed left fielder waiting for Votto to get hurt or leave. Alonso is best suited at 1B. The Padres have given Anthony Rizzo a shot at 1B with poor results. While he came on a bit at the end of last season, Rizzo has shown a long swing and a slow bat that hasn't played well against major league pitching. Rizzo has torn up AAA Pacific Coast League pitching, but most people do. He has to show that he can hit quality pitching game in and game out before his manager will be able to put him in the lineup every day. Rizzo has power. Alonso has some power but he's a better all around contact hitter than Rizzo. Alsonso can spread the ball around to all parts of the field. He makes good contact and I look for him to have a good career in San Diego. I see him as a Lyle Overbay type hitter. Edinson Volquez has the stuff and the arm to succeed. He hasn't been able to stay healthy for an entire season. If he's fit and in shape and if he's healthy, the Padres have a fine starter for that park. I'm not a big Volquez fan. I don't see any passion or aggressiveness in his mound approach. I like pitchers to come right at hitters and not toy around with the corners. Volquez has enough stuff to miss bats and be dominant. I think Bud Black will help him tremendously. If he's healthy. Mat Latos should prosper from much, much more offense in Cincinnati. He will get the type of runs he has never seen before. He has had to be too fine and too good to even come close to victory. He has been hurt in the past, but when healthy, he's one fine pitcher. Latos is a high velocity fastball pitcher with improving command. He also throws a slider, a curve and a change up. His slider isn't as refined as the other two pitches, but it's still very good. His curve and change are above major league average. Latos is an ace on the mound, no doubt about it. When he repeats his delivery and when his mechanics are sound, Latos will miss lots of bats. Of course he will have to be very fine in hitter friendly Great American. Congratulations Padres fans. This was a bonanza. This was the haul of all hauls. Sit back and watch these 3 guys and Volquez improve your club and their own careers. I still can't believe Cincinnati would make that deal. Then again, I couldn't believe Cleveland would make the deal for Pomeranz, White, Gardner and McBride. Follow me on twitter@BerniePleskoff and on MLB.com in their voices section.