Key Trades:
* Traded RHP Matt Latos to Cincinnati for RHP Edinson Volquez, 1B Yonder Alonso, C Yasmani Grandal and P Brad Boxberger
*Traded RHP Simon Castro and prospects to the White Sox for outfielder Carlos Quintin
Grade: A
After trading away Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy over the past two seasons, San Diego further committed to fully rebuilding by sending away ace starting pitcher Matt Latos for an offer they simply couldn't refuse.
With the Reds trying to win now--seemingly at any cost--the Padres were ably to pry away three top prospects along with an established major league starter in Volquez for Latos.
Alonso will battle Anthony Rizzo for the Padres first base job in spring training, but projects to be a much more polished hitter at this point after having a much better debut in 2011 for Cincinnati.
Grandal will be next in line if incumbent Nick Hundley struggles, giving the Padres the option to let Grandal get more at-bats in the minors.
A prolific hitter in college for the University of Miami, Grandal has posted strong numbers in the Cincinnati organization since being drafted, but had his path to the majors blocked by the Reds current top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco.
Boxberger gives the Pads another arm added via trade, joining former Red Sox farmhand Casey Kelley (part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade), former White Sox Clayton Richard, Adam Russell and Aaron Poreda (part of the Jake Peavy deal), and former Rangers prospects Joe Wieland and Robbie Erlin (Acquired for Mike Adams).
The stockpiling has begun in San Diego, as general manager Josh Byrnes tries to develop a gold mine of talent that could transform the Padres into perennial contenders down the road.
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