5 players the Cincinnati Reds gave up on 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.