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Edison Volquez, Yonder Alonso, and two very solid prospects in catcher Yasmani Grandal and right-hander Brad Boxberger.
I had honestly started to believe that the Reds management was on an offseason fishing trip or something, because I hadn't heard their name mentioned once. They were very quiet last offseason as well, which was extra surprising considering the big breakout year they had in 2010. Cincinnati has a bunch of young players with big potential and have just seemed to be one or two pieces short of seriously contending for a World Series. Despite that, for whatever reason, the Reds seem really disinterested in adding through free agency or trades.
They had another good season last year but missed out on the playoffs because they were a pitcher or two short, and that could have been fixed in the offseason.
Now this offseason is progressing quickly and the Reds have finally made a move. With the departure of Albert Pujols, suspension of Ryan Braun, and impending flight of Prince Fielder, it would have made absolutely no sense for the Reds to not try and add at the big league level this offseason.
So they brought in Mat Latos. They gave up a lot, and a lot of baseball people think it was too much, but I can't argue with it too much. As of right now, I think the Reds have a better shot than anyone to win the 2012 National League Central, and that rings even truer now with another established big league starter in Latos on the roster. Sometimes you have to give up a lot to fill a need, and the Reds have done that at just the right time.
Latos had a huge season in 2010 with a 2.92 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. He regressed slightly in 2011 with a 3.47 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. That was probably a testament to the big league hitters adjusting to him a little bit. Regardless, Latos is a very good starting pitcher. Obviously, he will have a tougher time in Great American Ballpark than he did at Petco Park, so I wouldn't automatically pencil him in for another sub-3.50 ERA season, but he is going to make that Reds team much better.
The Reds are awake and ready to compete for a division title. Right now, they're my favorite to win the division next year.