Not to mention for once the Reds are actually going for it, or at least the best they can in their own way. Yes if he doesn't work out, then we might have just hurt our future. However haven't you got tired of ALWAYS building for the future with the Reds. It seems like we have always heard that with the Reds since 1999. They are building for the future, the future was suppose to start with the new stadium. Well that didn't happen, and we were building again for a few years later and well that didn't happen either. To many fans around here focus on building for the future. That is what we been trying to do forever now it seems, and I know I for one am tired of building for the future. It is time for the future to be now.

 

I agree but they don't have all the pieces to the puzzle to "Win", get to the playoffs, maybe, but not to go very far in them

Does this mean they are going to try to sign Votto when he's up? You just lost your replacement.

I agree but they don't have all the pieces to the puzzle to "Win", get to the playoffs, maybe, but not to go very far in them

 

What are all the pieces of the puzzle that a team needs to win it all? We see plenty of times where teams think they have all the pieces but it doesn't work out. While we see a team with plenty of weaknesses make runs in the playoffs and even with the whole thing just like St. Louis did last year. Its all about getting to the playoffs, if you do that then anything is possible. Not to mention if the Reds make the playoffs, they actually have a guy in Latos who will be a legit #1, and then you also have Cueto. Which I haven't even mentioned Chapman yet, because he is a question mark. However if he pans out, the Reds have three top guys in their rotation. Which that is very dangerous in the playoffs. LF is still a big question mark, and needs to be figured out. However I just don't buy the argument that they won't have the pieces to make a run if they make the playoffs. No one knows what exact pieces you need. The most important thing IMO is just getting hot at the right time for the playoffs.

It may be a good deal for both teams but the Red's gave up a lot of young talent but time will tell if it's a good deal or not. I hope Mesoraco is better than Grandahl as the Reds seem to think. I'm tired of watching Volquez pitch (lack of control), Alonso will be solid for them but Boxberger I think will be real good from what I've read. I think Latos went something like 15 starts in a row without giving up more than 2 runs last year. I used to be one for not giving up the future but I've started to go to the other side and want to win NOW. I hope it works out.

Please don't use wins when talking about how good a pitcher is. There are 10 better stats to look at besides w/l record.

Does this mean they are going to try to sign Votto when he's up? You just lost your replacement.

He's hardly a great replacement.

By trading Yonder, I hope they are working on a new deal for Votto now instead of when he becomes a FA. If Votto leaves in two years as a FA, the Reds went from having two stud 1B to no stud 1B. Yikes!!!!!

By trading Yonder, I hope they are working on a new deal for Votto now instead of when he becomes a FA. If Votto leaves in two years as a FA, the Reds went from having two stud 1B to no stud 1B. Yikes!!!!!

 

The Reds would love to lock up Votto long term but Votto doesn't want a longer deal.

What are all the pieces of the puzzle that a team needs to win it all? We see plenty of times where teams think they have all the pieces but it doesn't work out. While we see a team with plenty of weaknesses make runs in the playoffs and even with the whole thing just like St. Louis did last year. Its all about getting to the playoffs, if you do that then anything is possible. Not to mention if the Reds make the playoffs, they actually have a guy in Latos who will be a legit #1, and then you also have Cueto. Which I haven't even mentioned Chapman yet, because he is a question mark. However if he pans out, the Reds have three top guys in their rotation. Which that is very dangerous in the playoffs. LF is still a big question mark, and needs to be figured out. However I just don't buy the argument that they won't have the pieces to make a run if they make the playoffs. No one knows what exact pieces you need. The most important thing IMO is just getting hot at the right time for the playoffs.

 

The Reds not only need to find a left fielder but they need to get players in the lineup that aren't prolific strikeout artists. They also need to find a shortstop and maybe Cozart will prove to be the one for that role. They can't be sure of what they have at 3rd because we all know that Rolen can't play a full season at this stage of his career. Who's going to lead off, Phillips if they extend him? If Phillips hits leadoff then who bats 2nd or even 4th? Who's the closer if they can't find a way to bring Cordero back which I don't think they intend to do? Jocketty says they have money because of the money they will save with Cordero gone. Who will be on the bench, weak hitting Paul Janish? Hernandez is gone and he was a reliable pinch hitter. Renteria is gone and as bad as he was defensively he was a veteran who could pinch hit. I see a lot of holes that need to be addressed.

I am not so sure this was such a great deal as most on here believe. You get a very good young pitcher who has really not proven anything yet. He has a 27-29 career record pitching in a pitcher friendly ballpark. You had to give up (3) 1st round draft picks, Alonso 1-7, 2008, Grandal 1-12, 2010 and Boxberger 1s-43, 2009, and a starter that 2 years ago started the All-star game for the NL and is only 1 year removed from Tommy John surgery who has a career mark of 33-29. I have to think that the Padres couldn't believe they could get that much for Latos. I like everyone else on here was totally frustrated with Volquez but if the Reds aren't in 1st place come the end of July, Votto will be out of Cincinnati and the Reds will be rebuilding again. I think they went all in on this one and now don't have the chips to get help in places they really need it.

Latos on the road the last two seasons:

 

35 starts, 214.1 IP, 180 H

13-13, 3.40

66 BB, 214 SO

 

And he won't be eligible to be a free agent until after the 2015 season, so he's under the Reds' control for four more seasons.

 

You can't consider a guy's draft pedigree when making a deal. Their minor-league record and development are much more important.

 

Alonso may have been a first-round pick, but his minor league record doesn't exactly make that pick look all that smart. Grandal is a good prospect, but the Reds have Mesoraco, who they apparently feel is better and is ready to take over the starting job in Cincinnati. Boxberger is an exciting prospect as a reliever, but he's a reliever.

 

I still think Volquez can be a good pitcher, and he was before his arm problems, but the Reds are understandably frustrated with him.

 

The Reds gave up some potential there, but you have top give up quantity and potential quality to get quality. Latos certainly fits that standard.

By trading Yonder, I hope they are working on a new deal for Votto now instead of when he becomes a FA. If Votto leaves in two years as a FA, the Reds went from having two stud 1B to no stud 1B. Yikes!!!!!

 

If they can't sign Votto he's gone next July unless the Reds are in 1st place and contending.

Latos on the road the last two seasons:

 

35 starts, 214.1 IP, 180 H

13-13, 3.40

66 BB, 214 SO

 

And he won't be eligible to be a free agent until after the 2015 season, so he's under the Reds' control for four more seasons.

 

You can't consider a guy's draft pedigree when making a deal. Their minor-league record and development are much more important.

 

Alonso may have been a first-round pick, but his minor league record doesn't exactly make that pick look all that smart. Grandal is a good prospect, but the Reds have Mesoraco, who they apparently feel is better and is ready to take over the starting job in Cincinnati. Boxberger is an exciting prospect as a reliever, but he's a reliever.

 

I still think Volquez can be a good pitcher, and he was before his arm problems, but the Reds are understandably frustrated with him.

 

The Reds gave up some potential there, but you have top give up quantity and potential quality to get quality. Latos certainly fits that standard.

 

Only time will tell with Latos but I'm not ready to call 27-29 quality and a #1 starter. Cueto is the Red's #1 until Latos proves he can be that man.

The Reds not only need to find a left fielder but they need to get players in the lineup that aren't prolific strikeout artists. They also need to find a shortstop and maybe Cozart will prove to be the one for that role. They can't be sure of what they have at 3rd because we all know that Rolen can't play a full season at this stage of his career. Who's going to lead off, Phillips if they extend him? If Phillips hits leadoff then who bats 2nd or even 4th? Who's the closer if they can't find a way to bring Cordero back which I don't think they intend to do? Jocketty says they have money because of the money they will save with Cordero gone. Who will be on the bench, weak hitting Paul Janish? Hernandez is gone and he was a reliable pinch hitter. Renteria is gone and as bad as he was defensively he was a veteran who could pinch hit. I see a lot of holes that need to be addressed.

 

There are holes still, however as you mentioned they still may be good enough to reach the playoffs. You talked about how they don't have the right pieces to make a run in the playoffs, and that is where you are wrong. There is no set thing that teams need to have to be able to make a run. A team that usually looks like they have all the pieces sometimes doesn't even make it or gets knocked out in the first round. If this team is good enough to make the playoffs, then they very well could make a run in the playoffs. Not to mention they still have time to address some of those areas.

Only time will tell with Latos but I'm not ready to call 27-29 quality and a #1 starter. Cueto is the Red's #1 until Latos proves he can be that man.

 

Which is not showing much baseball knowledge if you really want to use a pitchers record to determine if he is good or not. Say if he had pitched for the Yankees instead, which means he had an offense behind him but had the exact same stats. He probably would have an amazing record, but does that all of a sudden make him a better pitcher just because his record was much better? No he would still be the same guy, using a pitchers record is wrong. Just like saying a guy who has an ERA of 5 but 18 wins is a good pitcher would be wrong.

If they can't sign Votto he's gone next July unless the Reds are in 1st place and contending.

 

I hope you mean july 2013? You never know what will happen by then