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The Marlins laid out the #WelcomeMat on Thursday, acquiring right-hander Mat Latos from the Reds for Anthony DeSclafani and Chad Wallach, according to a team announcement on Twitter.
BREAKING NEWS: The #Marlins have acquired Mat Latos from the Cincinnati Reds! #WelcomeMat pic.twitter.com/aO3X3YKEsh
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) December 11, 2014
Latos spent three seasons in Cincinnati, missing about half of the 2014 season with injuries and rehab assignments. He still posted a 3.25 ERA on the season, finishing with a 3.31 mark with the Reds across 81 starts. Latos will pair with Jose Fernandez at the top of a Marlins rotation that also features Henderson Alvarez, Jarred Cosart and (for now) Dan Haren.
DeSclafani, a right-hander drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 draft by the Blue Jays, has just 33 innings of big league experience, all of which came last season for the Marlins between the bullpen and starting rotation. He posted a 6.27 ERA during that span, but also projects to be a solid pitcher given his 3.23 ERA in the minors, including 3.49 in Triple-A last season. He was the Marlins' second-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com.
The final piece of the trade, catcher Chad Wallach, is also a highly regarded prospect (Miami's 19th overall), though he has a ways to go before making an impact with the big league club. The 2013 fifth-round draft pick hit .321/.430/.476 in Single-A last season, and his overall walk-to-strikeout mark of 62-to-46 between High- and Single-A reflects his strong plate discipline.
★★★
At least Dallas isn't mad:
You guys… I am not mad about going to Miami. I am not complaining. These things are just surreal. Especially when it all unfolds on Twitter.
— Dallas Latos (@DallasLatos) December 11, 2014