Elly De La Cruz Turned Down The Largest Contract In Reds History
Elly De La Cruz reportedly turned down what would’ve been the most significant contract in Cincinnati Reds history. The Reds are notoriously known for being extremely cheap, but have shown effort when it comes to retaining one of their homegrown superstars.
A new report came out yesterday revealing that last spring, the Cincinnati Reds made an offer to De La Cruz that would have eclipsed Joey Votto’s club-record 10-year, $225M contract extension in 2012. As we now know, he turned down the offer and is letting his agent, Scott Boras, focus on all negotiations moving forward. The Reds were trying to get him locked up at a low price, but Boras will want him to test free agency when the time comes.
De La Cruz Is Smart
While you have to respect the Reds’ efforts, it’s evident that no matter how much money they offer, he will turn it down. Scott Boras always gets the most amount for his clients, and De La Cruz will only get better over time. He is one of the most electric players in all of baseball, stealing 67 bases in 2024. This past season, he slashed .264/.336/.440/.776 with 22 home runs and 37 stolen bases.
The Reds may not have World Series aspirations every year, but Elly De La Cruz is a big reason why many tune in on a nightly basis. He signed with Cincinnati as an international free agent in July of 2018 and has developed throughout the club’s system. He made his Major League debut in June of 2023 and made an immediate impact.
His first game was against the Los Angeles Dodgers. De La Cruz reached base three times (two walks and a double), scoring a run, and helped spark the Reds’9-8 win over the Dodgers. He provided an immediate spark and filled Great American Ball Park on a Tuesday night, something that hasn’t happened in a very long time.
The Reds Can’t Swim In Deep Waters
The reason why Cincinnati is offering him this deal so early on in his career is that they know they won’t be able to compete with other big-market teams when the time comes for him to enter free agency. That time is still a ways away, as he is under contract through the 2029 season. The question remains: will the Reds do what it takes to win a championship with De La Cruz under contract?
The answer as of this moment looks to be no. They were in on Kyle Schwarber and did make a fair offer, but have put the checkbooks back in their pockets. The Reds are clearly not ready to spend the money needed to compete in a highly competitive National League and acquire the necessary star power to take down the Los Angeles Dodgers. With a new Collective Bargaining Agreement set to take effect after the season, a potential salary floor could change how Cincinnati operates.
What This Means For The Reds
Elly De La Cruz declining their offer is a reality check the Reds desperately needed. It’s either you spend the money to surround him with more talent, or never win with one of your homegrown superstars. Developing him into a star since he was just 16 is something not many teams can say they’ve done, and the Reds cannot afford to blow the opportunity they have.
Regardless, the fanbase still has a reason to be excited. De La Cruz plays a significant role, but players like Sal Stewart, Spencer Steer, and Matt McLain will have a massive part in the lineup. Not to mention, their starting rotation led by Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and young flamethrower Chase Burns, profile to be one of the most exciting rotations in all of baseball.
