Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz could make MLB history if he reaches free agency.
Elly De La Cruz has already established himself as one of the most electrifying young players in baseball, but the expectations surrounding him reached an entirely new level this week.
As the Cincinnati Reds prepare for the 2026 season, De La Cruz’s long-term future has once again become a major storyline, especially after a bold prediction from C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic placed him in unprecedented financial territory.
During a recent discussion about the Reds’ efforts to sign their superstar shortstop to a long-term extension, Rosecrans offered a striking assessment of De La Cruz’s value and earning potential.
“The Reds have to make that attempt. And, if we’re being honest, you don't expect him to take it because this is a guy who could be, he could be a billion dollar player.” The comment immediately drew attention across the league, not only for its scale but for what it suggests about De La Cruz’s trajectory.
The Reds reportedly attempted to sign De La Cruz to what would have been the largest contract in franchise history, surpassing first baseman Joey Votto’s long-standing record.
The offer represented a significant organizational commitment, but the expectation, as Rosecrans noted, is that De La Cruz will decline it. The reasoning is simple: players with his combination of age, athleticism, production and marketability rarely lock themselves into early extensions when their ceiling continues to rise.
De La Cruz is entering his fourth MLB season and has already delivered two All-Star appearances, a league-leading stolen base title and one of the most unique power-speed profiles in the sport.
His 2025 season included 22 home runs, 37 stolen bases, 102 runs scored and .777 OPS across all 162 games, numbers made even more impressive by the fact that he played through a partially torn quadriceps muscle in the second half. Even at less than full strength, he remained one of the most complete players in the National League.
The idea of a “billion dollar player” may sound exaggerated at first glance, but the modern baseball landscape continues to shift. With rising revenues, expanding media deals and the increasing value of superstar talent, long-term megadeals are becoming more common.
De La Cruz will be just 28 years old when he reaches free agency, placing him in a rare position to command a contract that spans a decade or more.
For now, the Reds still control De La Cruz through 2029, giving them time to negotiate. But the longer he continues to ascend, the more expensive he becomes. Rosecrans’ prediction reflects a growing belief around baseball: De La Cruz is not just a star. He might be the kind of player who redefines the market entirely.