Elly De La Cruz Rejects Record Reds Offer for 2025 Season
The Cincinnati Reds made a significant offer to Elly De La Cruz in an attempt to secure him for the 2025 season. However, the proposal didn’t meet his expectations. Nick Krall, the team’s president of baseball operations, disclosed that the Reds’ contract extension would have made De La Cruz the franchise’s highest-paid player, surpassing Joey Votto’s record of a 10-year, $225 million deal. Despite the lucrative offer, De La Cruz chose to focus on his career progression.
Details of the Offer
De La Cruz’s extension proposal came after a successful first full season in the major leagues. He recorded impressive statistics:
- 25 home runs
- 67 stolen bases, leading MLB
- Batted .259/.339/.471 in nearly 700 plate appearances
The shortstop has showcased a unique combination of power and speed, finishing as a top-10 MVP candidate during his age-22 season.
Contract Comparisons
Any extension offer to De La Cruz exceeding Votto’s would set a record for a player with under two years of service time. Currently, the record belongs to Julio Rodríguez, whose deal with the Mariners features a $210 million guarantee but includes escalators that could inflate its total value significantly. Other recent notable extensions include:
- Fernando Tatis Jr.: 14 years, $340 million
- Bobby Witt Jr.: 11 years, $288.78 million
These examples highlight the rising earning potential as players near arbitration eligibility.
Future Prospects for De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz, represented by agent Scott Boras, is currently on a pre-arbitration salary. He will enter arbitration next offseason and remains under club control for another four seasons, potentially hitting free agency at the age of 28.
In his second full season, De La Cruz’s performance slightly dipped. He posted a .264/.336/.440 line with 22 home runs and 37 stolen bases. His early-season success began to fade after the All-Star Break, where he struggled with a .236/.303/.363 performance while dealing with a strained left quadriceps.
Role in the Reds’ Future
Despite some setbacks, De La Cruz’s importance to the Reds remains undisputed. Krall emphasized the team’s commitment to him as their shortstop, noting his impressive arm strength, though he has also led MLB in errors for two consecutive seasons. As the team navigates future extension talks, De La Cruz will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their offensive strategy when healthy.
