FanSided

5 players the Cincinnati Reds gave up on way too soon

By Drew Koch |
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 5
Next

There a myriad of reasons that teams and players part ways. Trades, contract disputes, and legal troubles, are just a handful of things that can occur to cause a split between a player and an organization.

Sometimes, going their separate ways is beneficial for the organization. Cutting an underperforming star or dismissing a player for off-the-field concerns can clear the way for the next up-and-coming prospect.

Other times, however, things don't go according to plan and the player that you thought was a nuisance or a bust turns out to be spectacular with a change in scenery. Let's look back at five players the Cincinnati Reds gave up way too soon.

1. The Reds gave up on Aroldis Chapman way too soon.

Let's get this one out of the way first, shall we? Most Reds fans know why the team traded Aroldis Chapman. After domestic violence issues arose in December of 2015, the Cincinnati Reds intensified efforts to find a trade partner for Chapman.

The Reds settled on the New York Yankees offer of Caleb Cotham, Rookie Davis, Eric Jagielo, and Tony Renda. None of those players did much of anything for the Reds while Chapman went on to post an ERA of 2.74 in his seven-plus seasons since leaving the Queen City.

Chapman went to three All-Star Games after leaving Cincinnati and was part of the Chicago Cubs World Championship team in 2016. While Chapman hasn't been the dominant closer that Reds fans remembered when he was tossing 100-plus mph, the left-hander has been quite effective.

Perhaps it's more the return that lacked any sort of productive major leaguer rather than the fact that Cincinnati moved on too quickly, but 270 saves post-trade is nothing to sneeze at. Seeing as how the Cincinnati Reds bullpen has been the Achilles heel for what feels like forever, it's safe to say the club moved on from Aroldis Chapman way too soon.

2. The Reds gave up on Justin Turner way too soon.

Justin Turner is name that most Reds fans probably associate with the Los Angeles Dodgers. LA's dominance of the NL West over the last 10 years or so oftentimes saw Turner occupying the hot corner for Dave Roberts club.

While Turner signed with the Boston Red Sox during the 2022-23 offseason, it may surprise folks to know that the 2017 NLCS MVP actually began his career as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Turner was drafted by the Redlegs in Round 7 of the 2006 MLB Draft.

Turner made it from Rookie-Level Billings all the way up to Double-A Chattanooga, but he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles along with utility infielder Ryan Freel during the 2008 Winter Meetings. Ramon Hernandez was sent to Cincinnati.

Turner did not turn into a start with the O's. In fact, Baltimore DFA'd Turner in 2010. He was picked up by the New York Mets. but really didn't find much success in the Big Apple either. It wasn't until Turner landed in LA in 2014 that he career finally took off.

Justin Turner signed a minor-league deal with Los Angeles and was invited to spring training in 2014. Since that time, Turner has posted an OPS of .865, went to two All-Star Games, and was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers World Championship team in 2020. I think it's safe to say that the Res gave up on Turner much too soon.

3. The Reds gave up on Josh Hamilton way too soon.

Former No. 1 overall pick Josh Hamilton was, at one time, a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Hamilton's story involves tragedy and overcoming adversity. Selected first-overall in 1999 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Hamilton battled drug addition throughout his major league career.

Hamilton was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft and then immediately dealt to the Reds. During the following season, Hamilton played 90 games, crushed 19 home runs and posted an OPS of .922.

The Reds then pivoted from Hamilton and traded the slugger to the Texas Rangers during the offseason. In exchange, Cincinnati received pitchers Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.

Following the trade, Josh Hamilton became a star. From 2008-2012, Hamilton went to five consecutive All-Star Games, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and won the AL MVP in 2010 while finishing in the Top 7 two other times during that five-year span.

For those five season, Hamilton was playing up to the potential that saw him drafted No. 1 overall all those years ago. The slugger slashed .305/.363/.549 with 142 home runs and 506 runs batted in. The Reds gave up on Josh Hamilton much too soon.

4. The Reds gave up on Edwin Encarnacion way too soon.

There may not be a more peculiar player on this list than former Cincinnati Reds infielder Edwin Encarnacion. The slugger was actually drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2000, but then traded to the Reds.

Encarnacion made his big league debut in 2005 at the age of 22. The following season, Encarnacion showed why the Reds were so high on him. While holding down third base, Encarnacion slashed .276/.359/.473 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs.

One of Encarncacion's biggest shortcomings, however, was his defense. From 2005-2009, Encarnacion committed 75 errors at third base, including two season in which he eclipsed 23 miscues. Encarnacion's defense was just horrific.

But the Reds rectified the situation by bringing in one of the best defenders in the history of the game. Encarncacion was traded to the Tornoto Blue Jays in exchange for Scott Rolen. At the time, the move bolstered the Reds defense and Rolen was a key acquisition prior to the team's success in the early-2010s.

As for Edwin Encarnacion, being that the DH was only in the American League at the time, the power-hitter thrived in the role of designated hitter. Encarnacion's career really took off in 2012. During a seven-year stretch that included time with Toronto and the then-Cleveland Indians, Encarnacion hit .266/.365/.529 with 263 homers and three trips to the Midsummer Classic.

5. The Reds gave up on Didi Gregorious way too soon.

Most Reds fans know why the Cincinnati Reds traded Didi Gregorius when they did. Much was the case with players like Yasmani Grandal and Yonder Alonso, the team saw greater potential with another player within the organization who played the same position.

For Grandal, it was Devin Mesoraco. For Alonso, it was Joey Votto. And for Gregorius, it was shortstop Zack Cozart. Gregorius received a September call-up in 2012, but that was the extent of playing time the infielder received with the Redlegs.

Gregorius was traded the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team trade that saw the Cincinnati Reds land outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. After leaving the Reds, Gregorius suffered through some injury-plagued seasons with the D-backs before landing in the Bronx.

During his five-year run with the New York Yankees, Didi Gregorius would draw posted a slash line of .269/.313/.446 with 97 home runs and 360 RBIs. For a two-year stretch (2017-2018), Gregoriuos was one of the most underrated players in the American League. Gregorius hit 52 bombs during that stretch and posted an OPS of .812.

Zack Cozart was a fine defender during his time in Cincinnati, injuries plagued him as well. While it might be a stretch to say the Reds made the wrong call choosing Cozart over Gregorius, we can all agree that Cincinnati moved on from Sir Didi too soon.

Next. 15 worst trades in Cincinnati Reds history. dark

Next
Home / Reds History

Schedule