Ranking the best trade targets for the 2015 Red Sox rotation

4. Mat Latos

Aug 17, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher

(55) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

One Padres pitcher who has had very little trouble adjusting to life outside of San Diego is Mat Latos (26). Among the many talents plucked from San Diego before he could blossom for them, the 26-year old Reds starter has impressed from the onset of his still young career. As a 22-year old in San Diego, Latos wowed over 31 starts with a 14-10 record, 3.o WAR, and 189 K’s in 185 IP to go along with the first shutout of his career. He regressed some in 2011 after starting the season on the DL and actually tied a franchise record for longest winless streak despite his still strong numbers.

Latos was unhappy in San Diego, and made some enemies in the clubhouse before San Diego elected to trade the young talent (on a side note, he was actually included in the deal that sent Edinson Volquez to San Diego that I mentioned in my free agent targets post). In his first year in Cincinnati, Latos nearly replicated his ERA and strikeout totals, but saw his record leap to 14-4, and his WAR to 4.1. His follow-up saw him lower his ERA all the way back down to 3.16 and the Reds have been quite satisfied with the young pitcher’s performance.

But alas, the Reds remain a mid-market club with substantial money devoted to Joey Votto, Homer Bailey, Brandon Phillips, and Jay Bruce, not to mention a need to extend Aroldis Chapman and Todd Frazier. Cincinnati  should have the ability to extend a pitcher, but unfortunately, they have two ace pitchers. Will they choose to extend Latos, or his more expensive counterpart, who will make an appearance later on this list?