Fans Hate the Latos - Alonso Trade in San Diego and Cincinnati

Many fans in both San Diego and Cincinnati hate the trade that brought Mat Latos to Cincinnati and sent Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Edinson Volquez and Brad Boxberger.

Alonso and Grandal are both blocked by others in the organization.  Alonso by 2010 MVP, Joey Votto and Grandal by Ryan Hanigan, who signed a four year extension in March and Devin Mesoraco, who like Grandal is a former number one draft pick.

Grandal signed a major league contract out of the University of Miami.  Alonso did the same.  Time is running out.  The Reds have lost patience with Volquez.  The hardest player for Walt Jocketty to deal was Boxberger, who was taken with the supplemental pick right after the Reds selected Mike Leake in 2009.

Reds fans think the price for Latos was too steep.

The following readers commented on the Cincinnati Enquirer site.


Josh Mohr (Scott HS)

Idiot move Walt. There is a reason SD traded him.. Anger, bi-polar, fastball command an issue, traded 3 first rd picks for him. Amazed at this situation. Now we have no LF, no CL, no BP arms. Just weakens our team.. San Diego absolutely robbed us blind.


Never mind that Jocketty has been doing his job since young Josh was born.  Latos has been difficult to handle for manager Bud Black.  But his fastball command is among very good.  He keeps the ball down and gets a lot of ground ball outs and strikeouts.  Latos' anger and attitude problems are similar to those that Brandon Phillips had in the Cleveland organization.  Sometimes hearing the same thing from another organization after a fresh start will sink in like it did with Phillips.

Volquez was a nibbler even in his 17-win season.  He often had to pitch out of trouble caused by walks. When he attacks hitters, he is hard to beat.  When he misses the corners, he is eminently beatable.

Bob Levine said.

Way too high of a price for damaged goods. 

Gave up way to much for a potential #1. You would have thought the reds learned their lesson with the hamilton for volquez trade. Alonso is a stud and would have loved to see him and votto in the same lineup 


This comes from a fan, who forgets about defense.  The only position that Alonso can play at the major league level is firstbase.  Votto just won a gold glove there.  The Reds would be foolish to weaken two positions considering half of every game is played on defense.


Marc Brown

Absolutely a terrible trade. Gave up way too much. This guy pitched in pitcher friendly Petco Field. Lets see how he handles Great American Small Park. Simply ridiculous.


Latos just as well on the road as he has at Petco.  For his career his road ERA is 3.57 in 41 games.  At home in 31 games it is 3.11.  He has allowed 22 home runs in 41 games on the road.  He allowed 17 at home in 31 games.

Wanda Paul Marzig Stober

Gave up way too much...I never heard of Latos 


I don't think Latos has ever heard of Wanda either.

A lot of fans in San Diego think the Padres gave up too much.  A little background.....The Padres traded slugger Adrian Gonzalez to Boston for another top prospect left handed hitting firstbaseman, Anthony Rizzo.  Alonso gives them two prospects for a proven power hitter and a proven starter.

The following commented on the San Diego Union site.

Garth Ward



This organization is a total joke. Nice move Byrnes. You have no idea how much you guys have lost the fan base. Shows what you really think about Rizzo after you sold the fan a bill of goods on the AG trade. Now Latos, and your explanation to the fan base is that "we had depth?" Who is this depth? Latos is a potential ace, who is 24, and has nothing but upside. That is the only explanation that the fans get? Please name one thing that Moorad has done to demonstrate he is serious about winning. Your customers are very sick and tired of the direction of this team, and the ownership could care less. No one respects what you are doing.


They also got a pitcher who has proven capable of winning 17 games.  A change of scenes may just be what Volquez needs to turn his career around.

Larry Urdahl

Last year was the 1st year I didn't watch the Padres on TV or Read about them in a newspaper or attend a game because of the Gonzales move and many other stupid moves. Now I totally sever all relations with the Padres forever. Since 1950 I have followed the Padres and Now I shall officially find another team to like and support. A minor league organization does not belong in the major leagues.

John Godfrey

Mat Latos was one reason to go to Petco, and now he's gone. Why should I pay money to see the 2012 Padres? Give me one reason, please.......Orlando Hudson?

Former Reds general manager Jim Bowden had this to say of the trade:

Leatherpants

 This is a clear win of a trade for the Padres and their general manager, Josh Byrnes,” Bowden said. “In modern times, I can’t remember a trade that was this far lopsided.”


This comes from a man who labeled such hot prospects as Willie Greene, Brett Tomko and John Roper, untouchable.

Of 11 number one picks that Bowden made in the draft while GM in Cincinnati, only five made the major leagues and one, Jeremy Sowers, didn't sign  Johnny Oliver, Ty Howington, David Espinosa and Chis Gruler  never played in the majors.  Mottola played a 59 games and Pat Watkins played 116 games in his career.

Those that made the majors, Brandon Larson, Austin Kearns, CJ Nitkowski, Bret Tomko and Sowers failed to live up to the promise bestowed on a number one pick.