Reds send Alfredo Simon to the Tigers

The Cincinnati Reds have sent 33 year-old RHP Alfredo Simon to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for shortstop Eugenio Suarez and pitching prospect Jonathon Crawford, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Simon, who is entering his final arbitration year, comes to Detroit after three successful seasons with Cincinnati. After originally breaking in with the Baltimore Orioles in 2008, Simon struggled with consistency in parts of four seasons with the O's, serving in various roles throughout the pitching staff, including serving as the team's closer for part of the 2010 season. After the Orioles placed Simon on waivers shortly before the 2012 season, the Reds picked up the veteran right-hander, and Simon saw his career take off in Cincinnati.

In Simon's first two seasons with Cincinnati, he worked strictly out of the bullpen. Over 99 appearances in 2012 and 2013, Simon posted a 2.78 ERA in nearly 150 innings pitched. Following the 2013 season, the Reds decided to move Simon into the rotation, and his success continued. Over 32 starts in the 2014 season, Simon would post a 3.44 ERA over 196 innings pitched. Simon will add depth to a Tigers' rotation that recently traded Rick Porcello to the Red Sox.

With Suarez heading to Cincinnati, the Reds add the Tigers' #8 prospect entering the 2014 season. After beginning the 2014 season in Double-A, Suarez moved up to Triple-A for two weeks, and would then make his MLB debut with the Tigers on June 4th. In his two months in the minors, Suarez would post a 2014 slash line of .288/.360/.510, with 27 extra-base hits in just 54 games. After joining the Tigers, Suarez struggled offensively, posting a .652 OPS in 85 games.

Crawford entered the 2014 season as Detroit's #3 prospect, and his 2014 numbers only added to his outstanding reputation. The former Florida Gator posted a 2.85 ERA over 23 starts for low-A West Michigan. The 23 year-old is a former first round pick, going 20th overall in 2013.