It's easy to forget just how good a pitcher Mat Latos was for the Cincinnati Reds. From 2012 to 2014, Latos logged 522 1/3 innings for the Reds, posting an ERA+ of 118 and averaging nearly eight strikeouts per nine innings. When Johnny Cueto departed with back spasms in the first inning of Game 1 of the 2012 National League Division Series, it was Latos who pitched four innings of one-run ball to keep the Reds from exhausting their bullpen.

But the narrative surrounding Latos' tenure with the Reds was altered when the right-hander -- who was traded from the Reds to the Marlins in December 2014 -- skewered his former employer last February, calling out Cincinnati's training staff and criticizing the club's leadership. And while Latos later expressed regret for lambasting the Reds, it's inconceivable that any reunion could be arranged.

That's a shame, because Latos and the Reds need each other.

Less than a month away from the onset of spring training, the 28-year-old Latos remains a free agent. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported in December that the Brewers, Orioles, Rays, Royals, and Pirates all checked in on Latos, but the rumors have been light of late. Latos, who pitched better in 2015 than his 4.95 ERA would indicate, could use a one-year contract to rehabilitate his value, especially since he has accumulated myriad injuries over the past 27 months:

2013: Bone chips removed from right elbow in October.

2014: Underwent left knee surgery in February. ... Suffered a flexor mass strain in right forearm in April, didn't make season debut until June. ... Diagnosed with bone bruise in right elbow in September. ... In November, underwent stem cell procedure on right elbow to regrow tissue and cartilage.

2015: Left April 29 start with a hamstring strain in left leg. ... Took a comebacker off his left shin on May 16. ... Put on the disabled list in late May with left knee inflammation. ... Missed a start in July with a foot issue. ... Missed a start in early September with neck stiffness.

Statistically speaking, Latos did regress in a few areas in 2015, but a closer look at the numbers reveals that Latos' showing last summer was not far off from his career averages.

Over the past two seasons, injuries have kept Latos from stockpiling innings. A deeper dive into his peripheral stats revealed what changed for Latos in 2015:

In 2015, Latos' home run to fly ball rate (HR/FB) -- a statistic that can vary significantly year to year because it's difficult for pitchers to control which batted balls leave the ballpark -- skyrocketed even though Latos achieved a career low in fly ball rate (FB%). This trend is made stranger by the fact Latos, who regained life on his fastball after multiple arm/elbow injuries in 2014, made eight of his 21 starts at Marlins Park in 2015, the third-hardest place to hit a home run last season.

As for Cincinnati, its rotation hasn't been this unsettled entering spring training since a 22-year-old Johnny Cueto and a 24-year-old Edinson Volquez surprised everyone by making the 2008 Opening Day roster. Homer Bailey is on track for a May return from Tommy John surgery, but the veteran right-hander won't be notching seven-inning starts immediately after undergoing a serious elbow procedure. Per Reds manager Bryan Price, Anthony DeSclafani, a second-year starter who came over from the Marlins in the Latos trade, and Raisel Iglesias, another second-year starter who flashed greatness (9.8 strikeouts per nine innings) but pitched only 95.1 innings in 2015, have inside tracks to rotation spots.

And whether it's Brandon Finnegan, Michael Lorenzen, John Lamb, Jon Moscot, top prospect Robert Stephenson, or someone else who fills out the Reds’ rotation, Cincinnati will again be carefully monitoring the innings of its young hurlers, which will in turn thrust pressure on an inexperienced, Aroldis Chapman-less bullpen.

In an alternate reality in which Latos eschewed burning every bridge he had with the Reds last February, he could ink a one-year deal with the club. Latos would have the chance to resurrect his career as a veteran innings-eater while Cincinnati carefully oversees its young starters.

In a best-case scenario for both parties, the rebuilding Reds could collect a controllable young player or two for Latos at the trade deadline, and Latos would have the opportunity to pitch for a contender and increase his value in advance of him hitting the open market again next winter.

Latos returning to Cincinnati could be a productive short-term relationship for both player and team. It's too bad it's a move that won't happen.

Grant Freking writes about the Reds at Redleg Nation.