5 players the Cincinnati Reds gave up on way 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.