Francona defends De La Cruz's decision to decline a record extension.
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona is not losing any sleep over Elly De La Cruz's decision to turn down a franchise-record contract extension, and he wants everyone else to relax about it too.
Francona appeared on "Foul Territory" this week and spoke openly about his star shortstop choosing to bet on himself rather than lock in long-term financial security with the Reds.
The 24-year-old turned down what would have been the largest contract in Cincinnati history during spring training last year, an offer that would have topped the 10-year, $225 million deal Joey Votto signed back in 2012.
"We love the kid," Francona said. "Players have a right to either take money early, bet on themselves late, I get it. And we have him for four more years regardless, but that's a personal preference, and nobody will ever hold that against him."
Why De La Cruz Turned It Down
It is not hard to see why De La Cruz passed on the extension when you look at the current market.
Stars like Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani have signed massive deals that have pushed the bar to new heights, and De La Cruz, a Scott Boras client, clearly feels his best payday is still ahead of him.
He does not hit arbitration until 2027 and will not reach free agency until after the 2029 season, so there is still plenty of time for both sides to revisit things.
De La Cruz told reporters at Redsfest that he lets his agent handle all of the contract talk, and Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall has shown nothing but respect for the decision.
De La Cruz is still on a pre-arbitration contract making an estimated $820,000 in 2026, which only adds fuel to the idea that a much bigger deal could be waiting for him down the road.
The Flaws Are Real, But So Is the Upside
Nobody is saying De La Cruz is a finished product. His career batting average sits at .255 with a .773 OPS and a 107 OPS+ through three big league seasons.
He struck out at a high clip in 2024 and dealt with a partially torn left quad during the second half of 2025 that dragged his numbers down considerably after the All-Star break.
His defense also took a hit while playing through that injury, and his OPS dipped to .666 over the final 65 games of the season.
But the tools are rare. De La Cruz hit .264 with 22 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 37 stolen bases in 162 games last season, leading Cincinnati to an 83-79 record and a Wild Card berth for the first time since 2020.
Before the quad injury, his first-half numbers were even more impressive, with a .284 average, .359 on-base percentage, and .854 OPS through 97 games.
He is a two-time All-Star with 60 career home runs and 139 stolen bases, and Francona compared his motor to that of Jose Ramirez, which is about as high a compliment as a manager can give.
Why Cincinnati Should Keep Pushing
The Reds have four more years of control over De La Cruz, and Francona's comments suggest the organization plans to keep the relationship positive no matter what happens on the contract front.
Cincinnati made the playoffs in 2025 and is building around De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and a young core that includes Sal Stewart and Noelvi Marte.
If De La Cruz stays healthy and puts together a full season at the level he showed in the first half of 2025, there is a real case that he could contend for NL MVP honors, and his price will only go up.
But that is a risk the Reds should be willing to take because letting a generational talent walk without making every effort to keep him would be a much bigger mistake.
The door is still open, and both sides know it.