Cincinnati’s phenom is delivering historic production against powerhouse rivals, yet mounting free-agency rumors and rejected an extension suggests his electric tenure in the Queen City may be fleeting.
Not every home run is created equal. Sometimes you get a ball in your wheelhouse, and it goes 457 feet over the fence. Other times you’re out in front of an off-speed pitch and don’t put your best swing on it, but it still easily flies over the right-field fence.
That’s what Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz has done over the last few days against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he is on one of the best stretches of his career over his last 23 games.
During those 23 games, De La Cruz is hitting .409 with a 1.203 OPS, with seven home runs and 15 RBIs. Unfortunately for the Reds, they have won only nine of those games, as the season has taken a steep downturn, with Cincinnati losing seven of its last nine games.
C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic went on the Foul Territory podcast to talk about Elly De La Cruz. He made a big statement, saying he believes De La Cruz has ambitions beyond Cincinnati and won't spend his entire career with the Reds.
This has been the assumption for many Reds fans since De La Cruz burst onto the scene in 2023, but that was mainly because of foreknowledge of the Reds' lack of spending. Now, you’re getting reports from insiders and even flat-out statements from De La Cruz’s agent, Scott Boras, that the best thing for De La Cruz is to hit the free-agent market after his contract is up.
What makes it even worse? Much of De La Cruz’s hot streak has come against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In six games against the Dodgers, De La Cruz is 9-for-21 with five home runs in one of the best job interviews ever, as many think the Dodgers are a prime candidate to land his services on a large contract when he hits free agency.
De La Cruz has already turned down an extension that would have by far been the biggest contract in Reds history. Without a salary cap, the Reds could have difficulty keeping him in a Cincinnati uniform for the rest of his prime. How the Reds handle the next three seasons, while De La Cruz remains under team control, will be highly intriguing.
One argument is that the Reds should likely trade De La Cruz unless they are contending for a playoff spot, given that he could demand a king’s ransom of prospects. The Reds and the Boston Red Sox discussed a De La Cruz trade at the most recent deadline, but nothing materialized.
