CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds addressed their biggest offseason need on Saturday, acquiring right-handed starter Mat Latos from San Diego for a package of four players that includes two top prospects.

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.

The trade surprised Latos, who said the Padres had indicated to him that he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

“A little bit of shock and a little bit of excitement,” Latos said, describing his reaction. “Shock because literally I wake up and I’m traded. Excitement because I’m excited to join a club that’s got a lot of talent and a lot of potential. I’m excited for new scenery.”

The Reds wanted him so badly that they were willing to give up a lot.

“To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent,” general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Latos joins a rotation that includes Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. The rotation was a problem last season, with Cueto opening the season on the disabled list and Arroyo struggling with mononucleosis that he contracted during spring training.

Heading into the offseason, the Reds needed to get another top starter and a closer to replace departed Francisco Cordero. They think they’ve filled their first need.

“When we have Cueto and Latos at the top of our rotation, I think people are going to take notice,” Jocketty said.

Latos tied a major league record by allowing two or fewer runs in 15 consecutive starts in 2010. Last season, he held right-handed batters to a .204 average and made 20 quality starts, tied for most on the Padres.

“Our young starting pitching depth allowed us to make a move like this,” Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said. “We’ve added four credentialed young players who can help us win in the short and long term.”

Alonso, the seventh overall pick in 2008, didn’t have a place to play with Joey Votto a mainstay at first base. The Reds moved him to left field briefly last season, but he struggled defensively. The 24-year-old Alonso batted .330 with five homers and 15 RBI in 47 games.

Volquez was coming off a disappointing season, going 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA. The Reds got him from Texas in the trade for Josh Hamilton in December 2007. Volquez went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008, when both he and Hamilton made the All-Star teams. Volquez needed reconstructive elbow surgery the following year and has never gotten back into form.

Grandal, the 12th overall pick in 2010, batted .305 with 14 homers and 68 RBI at Class A, AA and AAA last season, making a quick rise through the farm system. He was slotted behind catcher Devin Mesoraco, a first-round pick in 2007 who made it to the majors last season and played in 18 games.

Jocketty said Reds were willing to trade Alonso and Grandal because they were stuck behind other players at their positions.

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 Class AA and AAA. Jocketty said Boxberger was the final piece in finishing the deal.

“It was very tough giving him up,” Jocketty said. “We feel he was really starting to come into his own in the second half of the year. I don’t think we would have been able to make the deal if he wasn’t part of it.”

Latos moves from a pitcher-friendly ballpark to Great American Ball Park, one of the most homer-friendly in the majors. He said he learned during a rough patch early last season that he couldn’t let a ballpark’s dimensions affect how he pitched.

“Earlier I was trying to be too fine with my pitches instead of just attacking with my strengths,” Latos said. “I learned to just trust myself and go after hitters regardless who it is or where we are. Cincinnati is said to be hitters’ park. Philly is the same way. That doesn’t mean where you’re at or the park you’re in to change your pitching style

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

With the acquisition of pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres, the Cincinnati Reds have made it as clear as a crisp post-season October sky; they plan to compete in 2012.

The Reds began 2011 with a bang and fans were excited to enjoy a successful season. However the team faltered, in large part due to inconsistent starting pitchers, and the team eventually slipped slowly but surely out of contention. Granted the Reds are in a tough division as they battled regularly against the two teams that eventually made it to the National League Championship game in 2011 – the Milwaukee Brewers and St Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals, of course, went on to win the World Series.

However the days of Marge Schott are gone, and Reds management no longer favors players based on their lack of facial hair, nor do they rely on the fur from a dearly demised saint bernard for good luck. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty knows what needs require attention and controlling owner Bob Castellini is willing to do what it takes put together a winning team.

Mat Latos is a young, powerful addition to the Reds where they need it most – starting pitching. In 2011 Johnny Cueto (9-5, 2.31 ERA), Mike Leake (12-8, 3.86 ERA) and Homer Bailey (9-7, 4.43 ERA) were the only Reds starters with winning records. Veteran Bronson Arroyo was iffy at best, finishing the season at 9-12. Latos went 9-14 for the Padres in 2011 , but that was without the strength of a stellar offense he will have backing him up as he pitches for the Reds. Latos ERA was 3.47, and he held opponents to a batting average of .233; he is only 24 and the Reds clearly anticipate long term success from him.

In exchange for Latos, the Reds gave up pitcher Edinson Volquez who ended 2010 with a less than impressive record of 5-7 and 5.71 ERA. They also lost Yonder Alonso, who was ranked as the Reds number two prospect; yet Alonso was unable to reach his full potential at first base with Joey Votto firmly entrenched in the starting lineup. Other top prospects were included in the trade as well, but the Reds aren’t overly focused future potential, they are about winning in the here and now.

Walt Jocketty told reporters, “Our offseason objective was to try to upgrade our rotation and add a top-of-the-rotation starter.” Though only time will tell, Lato does indeed seem to fulfill this objective, and if nothing else it is clear the Reds are taking the steps they find necessary to succeed moving forward. It’s hard for any fan to take issue with that.

Lisa has been a fan of the Cincinnati Reds since her family moved to Cincinnati when she was in elementary school. Her favorite player is the great Barry Larkin and she looks forward to him receiving his just rewards and being inducted in the Hall of Fame. Lisa was away at college when the Reds won the World Series in 1990 and forever regrets not being in town to celebrate appropriately. She longs for the day when her Reds win it all again.

Cash Kruth, “Cincinnati Reds land Mat Latos in five-player deal with San Diego Padres,” reds.com

Player Stats, reds.com

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CINCINNATI — The price tag for Mat Latos was daunting. The Cincinnati Reds were willing to pay it.

The Reds addressed their biggest offseason need Saturday, acquiring the right-handed starter from San Diego for a package of four players that includes two top prospects.

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 in 2011, finishing among the NL leaders in ERA and strikeouts.

The trade surprised Latos, who said the Padres had indicated to him he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

“A little bit of shock and a little bit of excitement,” Latos said, describing his reaction. “Shock because literally I wake up and I’m traded. Excitement because I’m excited to join a club that’s got a lot of talent and a lot of potential. I’m excited for new scenery.”

The Reds wanted him so badly they were willing to give up a lot.

“To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent,” general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Latos joins a rotation that includes Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. The rotation was a problem in 2011, with Cueto opening the season on the disabled list and Arroyo struggling with mononucleosis he contracted during spring training.

Heading into the offseason, the Reds needed to get another top starter and a closer to replace departed Francisco Cordero. They think they’ve filled their first need.

“When we have Cueto and Latos at the top of our rotation, I think people are going to take notice,” Jocketty said.

Latos tied a major league record by allowing two or fewer runs in 15 consecutive starts in 2010. In 2011, he held right-handed batters to a .204 average and made 20 quality starts, tied for most on the Padres, who like their pitching depth.

“Mat, with all his success, I think grew up in a hurry in the big leagues and is probably going to do very well in Cincinnati,” Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said. “We do have a good group of pitchers. We have a very good group in Double-A coming up behind him. It was a tough trade to make, but we have a huge chunk of talent we have put in the system the last couple of years and ultimately I think that’s our best path to success.”

Alonso, the seventh overall pick in 2008, didn’t have a place to play with Joey Votto a mainstay at first base. The Reds moved him to left field briefly in 2011, but he struggled defensively. The 24-year-old Alonso batted .330 with five homers and 15 RBI in 47 games. Byrnes said he’ll be a leading contender for the starting job.

Volquez was coming off a disappointing season, going 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA. The Reds got him from Texas in the trade for Josh Hamilton in December 2007. Volquez went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008, when he and Hamilton made the All-Star teams. Volquez needed reconstructive elbow surgery in 2009 and never has gotten back into form.

Grandal, the 12th overall pick in 2010, batted .305 with 14 homers and 68 RBI at Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A in 2011, making a quick rise through the farm system. He was slotted behind catcher Devin Mesoraco, a first-round pick in 2007 who made it to the majors in 2011 and played in 18 games.

Jocketty said Reds were willing to trade Alonso and Grandal because they were stuck behind other players at their positions.

The Reds also gave up right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger, who went 2-4 with 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA in 2011 at Double-A and Triple-A. Jocketty said Boxberger was the final piece in finishing the deal.

“It was very tough giving him up,” Jocketty said. “We feel he was really starting to come into his own in the second half of the year. I don’t think we would have been able to make the deal if he wasn’t part of it.”

Latos moves from a pitcher-friendly ballpark to Great American Ball Park, one of the most homer-friendly in the majors. He said he learned during a tough patch early in 2011 he couldn’t let a ballpark’s dimensions affect how he pitched.

“Earlier I was trying to be too fine with my pitches instead of just attacking with my strengths,” Latos said. “I learned to just trust myself and go after hitters regardless who it is or where we are. Cincinnati is said to be hitters’ park. Philly is the same way. That doesn’t mean where you’re at or the park you’re in to change your pitching style.”

Read More: Edinson Volquez (P – SDP), Yonder Alonso (1B – SDP), Mat Latos (P – CIN), Yasmani Grandal (C – SDP), Bradley Boxberger (P – SDP), San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds

Christmas has come early for the San Diego Padres, it appears. On Saturday afternoon, the Padres and the Cincinnati Reds completed a trade that will ship Mat Latos out of San Diego and into the National League Central. While Latos heads to Cincinnati, the Reds will send pitchers Edinson Volquez and Brad Boxberger, catching prospect Yasmani Grandal and first baseman Yonder Alonso, reports Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

Latos went 9-14 in 2011 for the Padres, but he was able to maintain a 3.47 ERA and a 3.16/3.52 FIP/xFIP in 194 innings. In six career starts against the Rockies, Latos was 3-2 with a 3.44 ERA.

In return, the Padres receive a pitcher in Volquez who has been troubled by injuries over the last few years, but is still immensely talented and has big strikeout ability. Alonso is a 24-year-old corner outfielder and first baseman who will need to see what happens with Anthony Rizzo before he has a set position. Grandal is a 23-year-old catcher who is waiting to make his major league debut. He has a .888 career OPS. Boxberger is a 23-year-old reliever who can strikeout batters.

For more updates on the MLB Hot Stove, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Read more: Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Mat Latos, Latos Beats Rockies, Padres Beat Rockies, Pro, MLB

DENVER (AP) — Mat Latos tossed 8 2-3 shutout innings, Orlando Hudson had two hits and the San Diego Padres beat the Colorado Rockies 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Latos (8-14) got just his third win since June 27 despite stringing together 10 straight quality starts. He struck out a season-high nine and came within a pitch of his second career complete game.

Eric Young Jr. had two hits for Colorado, which has lost six straight.

Latos had the advantage of facing a Colorado lineup devoid of star power. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (left hip), first baseman Todd Helton (back) and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (right wrist) were all out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game.

Tulowitzki pinch-hit in the eighth, the first time he has played since Sept. 13.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DENVER (AP) — Mat Latos tossed 8 2-3 shutout innings, Orlando Hudson had two hits and the San Diego Padres beat the Colorado Rockies 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Latos (8-14) got just his third win since June 27 despite stringing together 10 straight quality starts. He struck out a season-high nine and came within a pitch of his second career complete game.

Eric Young Jr. had two hits for Colorado, which has lost six straight.

Latos had the advantage of facing a Colorado lineup devoid of star power. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (left hip), first baseman Todd Helton (back) and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (right wrist) were all out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game. Tulowitzki pinch-hit in the eighth, the first time he has played since Sept. 13.

The three have combined for 70 home runs and 266 RBIs, and Gonzalez, who is hitting .295, is the only one of the three hitting below .300.

With the trio out manager Jim Tracy has used a patchwork lineup. The Rockies used four positions players in Tuesday’s game who were called up from Triple-A within the last month. Three of them made their major-league debuts in the last two weeks.

The Padres didn’t need much offense against Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin to win for the fourth time in the last five games. Jason Bartlett scored on Hudson’s single in the first to make it 1-0, and Hudson and Jeremy Hermida hit consecutive doubles in the sixth to make it 2-0.

Chacin (11-13) allowed one earned run and six hits, struck out four and walked two in six innings.

The Rockies spoiled the shutout in the ninth. Dexter Fowler hit a bloop double to center with one out, Seth Smith struck out and rookie Jordan Pacheco singled up the middle on a 1-2 pitch to score Fowler.

Heath Bell came in and gave up a single to Kevin Kouzmanoff before striking out Wilin Rosario to get his 40th save.

The Rockies had runners at the corners and one out in the eighth, but Latos struck out Tulowitzki looking and got Young to ground out to end the inning.

Notes: Padres 1B Kyle Bass left in the first inning with a right quadriceps strain. … Rockies RHP Juan Nicasio had his neck brace removed Tuesday. Nicasio suffered a fractured vertebra when he was struck in the head by a line drive Aug. 5. … RHP Anthony Bass will start for San Diego in the series finale Wednesday. Aaron Cook throws for the Rockies in what could be his final home start for Colorado. Cook is the franchise leader in wins, starts and innings pitched but has struggled in the last year of his contract.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)